1-0 loss against Bayer Leverkusen

Werder fail to recover after going behind early on

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The performance was there, the result was not - Werder lose 1-0 in Leverkusen (photo: nordphoto).
First Team
Wednesday, 13.12.2017 / 22:31

After two wins in a row, SV Werder’s run came to an end with a narrow 1-0 defeat at the hands of Bayer 04 Leverkusen. The Argentine Lucas Alario scored the only goal of the game after 11 minutes. Werder tried different tactics and worked hard throughout but weren’t courageous enough at times and did not create enough chances to force an equaliser. The Green-Whites were lucky to not fall further behind in the closing stages as Leverkusen did not make the most of their counterattacking opportunities. With this result, Werder remain on 14 points and 17th in the Bundesliga.

Starting line-up and formation: Florian Kohfeldt had to change his starting formation from the one which he started with against Borussia Dortmund four days ago due to injuries in his squad. Lamine Sané came in for Phillip Bargfrede who dropped to the bench with a minor muscle problem. Florian Kainz replaced Fin Bartels in attack after his Achilles tear on Saturday. The biggest surprise was the Bundesliga debut for U23 player Ole Käuper, who had never even been in a matchday squad, let alone in a Werder starting XI. Captain Zlatko Junuzovic was amongst the substitutes, a precautionary measure after his premature departure from the BVB match. Max Kruse took the captain’s armband in the Austrian’s absence.

Alario scores early on, Werder don’t offer enough of a threat

The agile Leon Bailey caused Werder numerous problems in the first half (photo: nordphoto).

3rd minute: Moisander’s surrendering of the ball gives the Werkself their first clear-cut chance. Volland has space 25 yards out and instead of shooting, he plays it into Lucas Alario. Pavlenka saves well in a one-on-one but Alario was offside so his goal would not have counted.

11th minute: Goal for Leverkusen, 1-0, Lucas Alario. Retsos plays a long ball to Bailey who gets past Gebre Selassie and plays the ball across the six-yard box. Sane tries to clear but trips over the ball and it falls to Alario who taps it in to give the hosts the lead.

32nd minute: The first Green-White chance! Gebre Selassie receives the ball from Kruse and plays in Florian Kainz. His cross from the right is met wonderfully by Eggestein but Leno dives well to save the header.

45th minute: Half-time in the BayArena. Leverkusen have a deserved 1-0 lead, as Werder haven’t offered enough in attack, especially compared to the Dortmund game. Delaney had a half-chance just before the break after a Kruse free-kick but the main Werder chance came from Eggestein on the half-hour mark.

Lacking the clear-cut chances

A busy man in the Leverkusen rain – Jiri Pavlenka (photo: nordphoto).

75th minute: Augustinsson has room on the left and puts in a great cross to the penalty spot where sub Belfodil rises and is not put under much pressure but does not meet the ball well and he heads it wide.

85th minute: SVW are pressing in the closing stages and Junuzovic has a shot from range but Retsos blocks. Leverkusen have a lot of room to counter with many Werder players pushing forward.

89th minute: A big let-off as Bellarabi misses the chance to kill the game. Brandt is through and plays it across to Bellarabi who just has to knock it home but he hits the side netting. Shortly after, Pavlenka comes out on top in a one-on-one with the German.

90th minute: It’s all over in the BayArena. Werder lose 1-0 to Bayer Leverkusen.

Summary: Werder lose to an opponent who are on brilliant form and continued that today with the 1-0 win. Leverkusen were the more alert and proactive side. With the attacking changes made by Kohfeldt in the second half, Werder increased the pressure towards the end but did not create many goalscoring chances. Bellarabi could have increased Leverkusen’s lead at the death. Werder can be satisfied with their hard-fought performance today despite the creativity and courage in the attacks not being there at times.

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