46th minute: Werder make a change during the break. Maximilian Eggestein replaces Thomas Delaney, who has to come off due to injury.
51st minute: A similarly high tempo to the first half makes for a hectic second 45 minutes. It’s equally as hectic from Werder’s free-kick which Junuzovic whips over the wall but not over Fährmann.
54th minute: Strong counterattacking from the Green-Whites. Max Kruse bursts down the field from his own half and is still yet to be stopped as he approaches the penalty area. However he just puts too much on his pass to Grillitsch. Unlucky!
63rd minute: We have played over an hour and yet it feels like we are in the final few minutes of the game. The Royal Blues put the pressure on, then Werder exploit the space on the counter. Meanwhile Fin Bartels comes on for Claudio Pizarro and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar as well as Jewhen Konopljanka replace Choupo-Moting and Meyer.
76th minute: GOOOAALL! Max Kruse converts from the spot. He casually sends Fährmann the wrong way and doubles Werder’s lead. Höwedes had fouled Bartels in the box to give away the penalty and Max Kruse kept his cool to finish. YES!
80th minute: ICING ON THE CAKE! Maximilian Eggestein heads in after an excellent counterattack. The goalscorer beats Stambouli to the ball and gets it forward immediately. Max Kruse then finds Eggestein standing free and he makes no mistake. Unbelievable!
85th minute: It’s party time at the Weser-Stadion as the match begins to draw to a close.
90th minute: Final whistle! Werder beat Schalke 04 3-0.
Analysis: Werder are in tremendous form! SVW showed their defensive strengths as well as how clinical they are going forward. Theodor Gebre Selassie got the opening goal for Bremen. Schalke certainly had more possession but Werder’s concentration levels were high and they always looked dangerous on the break. Nothing much changed in the second half. With lots of commitment and a compact formation, the Green-Whites barely allowed the Royal Blues any space with the only danger from the away side coming from the odd bit of individual skill. The penalty came at the perfect time and the rest was simply an exhibition of brilliant football. In the end it was a very much deserved victory for Nouri’s men. Werder’s next outing will be away at Eintracht Frankfurt on Friday, 9th April at 20:30 CEST.
