Werder's definitve safety will have to wait a week after a 2-0 defeat to Stuttgart in the Mercedes-Benz Arena. Christian Gentner's header put the hosts in front just 13 minutes into the match and Berkay Öczan got a sucker punch just minutes before the end as the Green-Whites chased the game. The gap to the relegation places remains seven points with now just three match days to go.
Line-up and formation: Head coach Florian Kohfeldt made two changes to the side that played last weekend against RB Leipzig. Jerome Gondorf came into the starting XI for Thomas Delaney, who had to miss the game due to suspension. Florian Kainz also came into the starting line-up for Milot Rashica. Werder played in a 3-4-3 system.
5th minute: First chance for the Green-Whites. A deflected cross lands at Bargfrede’s feet, who finds himself in space. However he flashes his effort wide.
13th minute: Goal for Stuttgart. Christian Gentner gets the goal with a header. The Stuttgart captain is lurking in the Werder box and gets on the end of Insua’s cross and directs it past Pavlenka.
23rd minute: Werder press for the equaliser. Max Kruse receives the ball from Ishak Belfodil, who battled hard to get it back. A heavy touch however means VfB’s keeper, Robert Zieler can collect it.
32nd minute: Jiri Pavlenka is called into action. Aogo stands over a free-kick from 20 yards out and after the Stuttgart players do well to part the Green-White wall, Pavlenka is forced into parrying a good effort down low to his right.
43rd minute: Golden opportunity for the Green-Whites! Belfodil crosses from the left to Florian Kainz who is in space at the back post but he flashes his effort wide of the far post. That was the best opportunity of the half for Werder.
53rd minute: What a chance for Marco Friedl! Kainz’s corner is whipped into the Austrian who is right on the six-yard line. He can’t quite get the power on his header however and Zieler is able to collect.
62nd minute: Kohfeldt makes a change: Milot Rashica comes on for Florian Kainz. Florian will miss next weekend’s game after picking up his fifth yellow for the season.
66th minute: Unbelievable! Milot Rashica makes an instant impact on the game with a winding run on the left-hand side and delivers the perfect cross to Jerome Gondorf who is well positioned at the back post. The German however can’t get the direction on his effort and flashes his effort by.
71st minute: Kohfeldt makes a double change. Zlatko Junuzovic and Aaron Jóhannsson come on for Gondorf and Belfodil.
88th minute: Gentner and Anastasios Donis are two-on-one on the counter. Gentner passes to Donis who has to score, but no! Our man Pavlenka does as he always does making a fabulous save keeping Werder in it.
90+1: Berkay Özcan makes sure of the win for Stuttgart. Werder are chasing the game at this point and get caught on the counter. Öczan makes not mistake and slots the ball past Pavlenka who is unable to prevent the inevitable.
90+4: Final whistle. Werder lose 2-0 away to Stuttgart.
Conclusion: Too many misplaced passes and poorly directed shots cost the Green-Whites dear. Werder suffered under Stuttgart's constant pressing and were unable to make their chances count when it mattered. Werder were firmly in control in the second half, searching hard for the equaliser. Stuttgart’s defence however held strong and nullified Werder’s attack. The gap to the relegation places remains at seven points for the Green-Whites. Next Sunday sees Werder take on Borussia Dortmund in the Weserstadion at 18:00 CEST.
