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Werder fall to narrow defeat against Auxerre in final pre-season friendly
MATCH REPORT FROM THE FRIENDLY AGAINST AJ AUXERRE
15/08/26 | 3 Min
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SV Werder Bremen finished pre-season with a 1-0 defeat to AJ Auxerre. The only goal of the game came shortly after half time (50’) in front of more than 20,000 supporters at the club’s season-opening event.
FIRST HALFThree new signings make Weserstadion debuts
Head coach Daniel Thioune named three summer signings in his XI for Werder’s final friendly before the competitive season gets underway. Cedric Itten, Chuki and Alexander Schlager all started. Schlager came in for Karl Hein, who is nursing a knock. Ludovit Reis was not yet included in the squad, while Amos Pieper was a late withdrawal through illness.
It was a lively start in front of the 20,470 fans at the Weserstadion. In the fourth minute, Clement Akpa’s attempted clearance from a Justin Njinmah cross almost found the back of his own net, before Njinmah went close himself from the resulting corner (5’).
The first clearcut chance of the game came when Chuki’s cross picked out World Cup star Itten. His shot on the turn from close range was blocked, as was Olivier Deman’s follow-up (12’). Auxerre threatened for the first time shortly before the hydration break. Captain Kevin Danois tested Schlager from around 18 yards out, before Naouirou Ahamada sent an effort narrowly wide not long after (22’).
It was clear that both teams are already back in the competitive mindset. In the 31st minute, Njinmah and Akpa clashed after an otherwise routine challenge, prompting a short coming-together between both sets of players.
The football soon took centre stage again. Samuel Mbangula’s backheel on the halfway line released Chuki, who sent a cross from deep into the path of Njinmah. His effort was blocked, as was Chuki’s attempt on the rebound (35’). The sides therefore went in level at 0-0, which was a fair reflection of the first half.
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SECOND HALFAuxerre strike shortly after the restart
Thioune made one change at the break, with Salim Musah replacing Itten up front. It was the visitors who made the brighter start, however. Ahamada got to the byline after some slick play and clipped the ball towards the six-yard box, where Arthur Piedfort headed home (50’).
Werder looked for an immediate response and came within inches of equalising. Mbangula whipped a free kick from the edge of the box towards the six-yard area, but Karim Coulibaly was just unable to make contact (54’). They went even closer five minutes later when a cross from full-back Mick Schmetgens almost dipped into the back of the net. Instead, it came back off the crossbar (59’).
As is often the case in friendlies, a flurry of substitutions then disrupted the rhythm of the game. The Green-Whites nevertheless kept on pushing for an equaliser. Coulibaly directed a header from a Grüll free kick on target, only for Auxerre goalkeeper Mamadou Diop to make the save (74’). Marco Grüll then fired narrowly wide four minutes later (78’). Musah was also denied by Diop in stoppage time (90’+2).
There was no way back in the end, meaning Thioune’s side finished pre-season with their first defeat. The aim will be for a different outcome next weekend, when Werder begin their competitive season away to Lüneburger SK Hansa in the first round of the DFB-Pokal. The match will be played on Saturday, 22nd August at 15:30 CEST.
Match facts
SV Werder: Schlager – Schmetgens, Friedl (80’ Malatini), Coulibaly, Deman (80’ Quetant) – Stage (57’ Grüll), Čović (70’ Kownacki), Chuki – Njinmah (60’ Erevbenagie), Itten (46’ Musah), Mbangula (60’ Alvero)
AJ Auxerre: Diop – Sy (80’ Danfakha), Diomandé, Makosso, Akpa – Piedfort (75’ Dioubate), Ahamada – Faivre (75’ Mandengue), Danois (75’ Diousse, 90’+2 Legros), Namaso (80’ Wie) – Bair (46’ Zossou)
Goal: Piedfort 0-1 (50’)
Yellow cards: Njinmah / Akpa, Mandengue, Danfakha, Diousse
Referee: Sven Jablonski
Attendance: 20,470
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