SV Werder could not break down SC Freiburg in a 0-0 draw at home. After an even first half, Werder dominated the second period. The only part preventing the team from getting their first win of the season was the finishing.
SV Werder could not break down SC Freiburg in a 0-0 draw at home. After an even first half, Werder dominated the second period. The only part preventing the team from getting their first win of the season was the finishing.
Line-up and formation: Head coach Alexander Nouri made three changes to the team which started in the 1-1 draw against VfL Wolfsburg. Niklas Moisander made his comeback after a long period out with injury at centre-back. Philipp Bargfrede started in the centre of midfield and Ishak Belfodil was given his first start up top. Luca Caldirola, Maximilian Eggestein and Jerome Gondorf made way for the trio, who were all making their first starts of the season. The team continued in the 3-5-2 formation.
5th minute: First good chance for SVW. Florian Kainz crosses a free-kick to the far post where Thomas Delaney is free to head the ball but his header goes wide.
11th minute: Ishak Belfodil is played in by Thomas Delaney and is through on goal. SC defender Caglar Söyüncü blocks the Algerian’s first shot but Belfodil gets a second bite of the cherry. Freiburg ‘keeper Alexander Schwolow is equal to the effort however.
25th minute: Werder get in behind the Freiburg defence once again. Augustinsson controls a Bauer diagonal ball well and crosses to Fin Bartels but Bartels mistimes his effort on goal.
27th minute: Brilliant save from Pavlenka. Pascal Stenzel shoots from the edge of the area, the shot is deflected by Florian Niederlechner and it forces Pavlenka into a great reaction save, tipping the ball over the bar.
40th minute: The best chance so far for the Breisgau side. Jannik Haberer plays the ball through to Florian Niederlechner, who shoots from close range. Pavlenka keeps his clean sheet intact though, saving with his right foot.
45th minute: Half time at the Weserstadion. Ishak Belfodil has been a constant presence up front for Werder. He, along with Jiri Pavlenka who saved two Freiburg shots impressively, has been the best Green-White performer. Nouri’s side have fought well so far.
55th minute: First good chance in the second half for Werder. Kainz and Augustinsson link up well and the Swede finds Delaney at the far post but as in the first half, the Dane cannot convert. More gaps are opening up in the Freiburg defence.
58th minute: Two chances in quick succession for SVW. Werder combine in the final third and the ball falls to Belfodil but he fails to convert with his header. Shortly after, Bargfrede shoots narrowly wide from range.
66th minute: Goal disallowed for Werder. Ishak Belfodil finishes a pass from Kainz through Schwolow’s legs into the net but the striker was standing in an offside position. Maxi Eggestein has come on for Bargfrede.
72nd minute: Freiburg with their first noteworthy chance of the second half. Liehnhart heads a corner against the post. Meanwhile, ex-Green-White Nils Petersen has come on for Freiburg.
75th minute: Belfodil with the next big chance. He plays a one-two with Bartels but he cannot finish from six yards out.
81st minute: The ball falls fortuitously to Nils Petersen who shoots but Pavlenka puts his body on the line to close down the striker and the shot goes wide of the far post.
90th minute: It is just not going to be Werder’s day. A cross falls to an unmarked Gebre Selassie, who shoots to the near post but Schwolow saves again.
Summary: After an unexciting first half, SVW’s performance in the second 45 was similar to that of the away game in Wolfsburg. Despite numerous clear chances, the Green-Whites couldn’t make their dominance count. On the upside, despite the changes to the team, Werder kept a clean sheet for the first time this season. Next Saturday, 30th September, it is the Nordderby against Hamburg at 18:30 CEST and another chance to pick up the first win of the season.
