Thanks to a convincing second-half performance, SV Werder took a well-deserved point from their away game at VfL Wolfsburg on Tuesday evening. In the 1-1 draw at the Volkswagen Arena, the Green-Whites put on a stuttering display in the first half before turning it around in the second period. Fin Bartels (56’) cancelled out Divock Origi’s opener (28’) and Werder had the better chances to snatch the winner in the closing stages.
Line-up and formation: Head coach Alexander Nouri kept with his trusted 3-5-2 formation but for injury reasons, the 38-year-old had to make two changes to the line-up which started the home defeat against Schalke 04. Luca Caldirola made his first appearance of the season alongside Milos Veljkovic and Robert Bauer in defence. Lamine Sané had to sit out in Wolfsburg due to a knee problem, despite Alex Nouri having given him the green light the day before the game. The second change was made in attack with Max Kruse out after breaking his collarbone on Saturday. Florian Kainz took over Kruse’s role in attack, with Jerome Gondorf filling in at centre midfield.
13th minute: The hosts have had more of the game in the opening stages, with Werder sitting deep and settling into the game. Yunus Malli, managed by Martin Schmidt (his ex-coach at Mainz 05), started and tried from distance. The 25-year-old’s shot was wide of Pavlenka’s goal however.
20th minute: The game has opened up a bit. Werder combine in the area and Delaney takes the ball to the touchline. His weak cross is met by Uduokhai. On the counter, Origi shoots from the edge of the area and Pavlenka tips the ball round the post.
28th minute: Goal for Wolfsburg. You can’t give the Wolves this much space on the counter. Ntep crosses from the left wing and crosses to Divock Origi. Not picked up by Caldirola, the striker strokes the ball past Pavlenka from 8 yards out with ease.
33rd minute: The movement from Wolfsburg’s attackers are giving Werder even more problems. With no pressure on him at all, Malli tries with a curler aimed for the near post but it hits the side netting.
41st minute: Werder are non-existent in attack but from a set-piece, Gebre Selassie gets a half chance. He meets a corner from the left hand side with his foot but his shot is straight at Casteels.
45th minute: Half-time in the Volkswagen Arena. Bremen started the match well and organised but were limited to few chances by Wolfsburg’s dominance. When the Green-Whites went forward early on, the agile Wolfsburg attackers pounced and deservedly went into the elad just before the 30 minute mark through new signing Divock Origi. SVW lacked any incision in attack and changes at half-time are needed.
46th minute: 45 seconds into the second period and SVW have their first chance. Casteels comes rushing out of his goal and collides with his teammate when trying to clear. The ball falls to Kainz who shoots towards goal but Verhaegh, the last Wolfsburg man back, clears from the touchline. Belfodil and Bargfrede came on for Jerome Gondorf and Maxi Eggestein at half-time.
48th minute: And again Kainz goes close, this time played in by Bartels. The Austrian stumbles at the penalty spot, however, and Knoche is able to clear.
56th minute: GOOAAAAALLL for Werder! Thomas Delaney crosses into the middle, aiming for Ishak Belfodil. Knoche deflects the cross and the ball falls to Bartels, who heads it past Casteels. The equaliser is well-deserved for a brilliant start to the second half and the game is there for the taking.
66th minute: This is a completely different performance to the first half. Alexander Nouri’s boys have been much more courageous and are dominating the ball. Thomas Delaney unleashes a 25-yard volley with his right foot and the ball flies just wide of the right-hand post.
71st minute: That had to be 2-1! The hero of last season’s victory over Wolfsburg, Theo Gebre-Selassie has two chances to put Werder into the lead. A brilliant Bartels lofted ball falls nicely for the Czech man who first hits the upright and then his follow-up is deflected behind by Knoche.
80th minute: Gebre-Selassie has another chance to score. He attempts a flick from Belfodil’s cross and Casteels has to scramble back to prevent the ball from crossing the line.
83rd minute: With seven minutes to go, Guilavogui has the first Wolfsburg chance of the second half – over the bar.
90th minute: Full-time at the Volkswagen Arena. Werder and VfL Wolfsburg share the spoils in a 1-1 draw.
Summary: How good it is that a football game has two halves. After a lack of incision and weak displace in the first half and a deserved lead for Vfl Wolfsburg, Werder came out all guns ablazing in the second. With the fresh faces in Belfodil and Bargfrede putting in great performances, the Green-Whites took control for long periods of the second half and had more of the chances after Fin Bartels’ equaliser. The three points would’ve been thoroughly deserved due to the much-improved performance in the second half, however, Delaney and co. have to settle for their second point of the season. The next chance for a first win of the season is in the home game against SC Freiburg on Saturday.
