SV Werder Bremen suffered a bitter 3-2 defeat away at Borussia Dortmund. After a goalless first half, goals from Gálvez and Junuzovic overturned Aubameyang’s opener. Unfortunately, two substitutes pulled the game back in favour of the hosts and the Green Whites left empty handed.
Line-up and formation: With Claudio Pizarro injured and Papy Djilobodji suspended, Viktor Skripnik made four changes to the team that faced Mainz. Alejandro Gálvez and Janek Sternberg, who celebrated his return to the starting XI after a long spell injured, made up two of the back five alongside Vestergaard, Garcia and Gebre Selassie. In addition, Sambou Yatabaré and Anthony Ujah started in place for Fin Bartels and Levin Öztunali.
7th minute: The first big chance of the game falls to Werder. Anthony Ujah stretches to meet Yatabaré’s low cross across the six-yard boss, but misses out by inches and the chances passes by. All that was needed was a touch to give Werder the early lead. Otherwise, the match started as expected, with Dortmund dominated possession and Werder defending compact at the back. An impressive start for the Green-Whites.
14th minute: Huge save by Wiedwald against Durm! BVB with their first real chance of the match, forcing a stunning save from the Werder keeper. Marco Reus squared the ball to Eric Durm who, from just a few yards out, was denied the game’s opening goal.
41st minute: The hosts carve out three chances before the break through Schmelzer, Reus and Castro, but neither really threatens the Werder goal. Just a few moments later, Aubameyang attempts an overhead kick in the box, but the Werder defensive holds on.
45th minute: Referee Tobias Welz brings the first half to a close – a positive half for Bremen with score level at 0-0. Skripnik’s tactics have worked thus far and the team have just about kept Dortmund from scoring. Only one clear chance for either side, however.
53th minute: Goal for Dortmund. Gálvez goes in hard on Reus in the middle of the pitch, but the referee allows the advantage. BVB break quickly via Mkhitaryan and Aubameyang, who races past Vestergaard and chips the outcome Wiedwald to give the hosts the lead.
59th minute: Wiedwald versus Durm once more. Yet again the Werder keeper comes out on top. The one goal lead has given the home side even more encouragement and the Green-Whites need to do everything to prevent a second goal.
69th minute: GOOOOAL FOR WERDER!! Alejandro Gálvez equalises for Werder! Ujah and Yatabare both jump up with Pisczek to attack a corner and the ball drops at the Spaniard’s feet. His volleyed effort takes a slight rebound off Castro’s foot and hits the back of the net!
75th minute: GOOOOOOOAAAALLL! WERDER SCORE AGAIN!! Zlatko Junuzovic turns the match on its head! Levin Öztunali, who was brought on for Garcia, nutmegged Durm and then powered his way into the box, despite being fouled. His ball into the box is met by Junuzovic, who fires in first time at the far post! Incredible!
77th minute: Dortmund equalise. Less than two minutes after Werder took the lead, substitute Shinji Kagawa slides it past a helpless Wiedwald to level the score.
82nd minute: Dortmund retake the lead with killer blow. Ramos, another substitute, meets the corner and puts the hosts 3-2 up. A bitter blow for Bremen.
Summary: SV Werder suffer a bitter defeat at the hands of second-placed Borussia Dortmund. Despite taking the lead late in the second half with a quickfire double, Werder return home empty handed. But the strong performance and brilliant display of character should at least give the Green-Whites confidence for the upcoming fixtures.
