SV Werder are into the DFB-Pokal Round of 16. SVW beat TSG Hoffenheim 1-0 with a fighting performance. Ishak Belfodil scored the only goal of the game (31’). With the win, the Green-Whites stay unbeaten at home in 36 DFB-Pokal matches.
SV Werder are into the DFB-Pokal Round of 16. SVW beat TSG Hoffenheim 1-0 with a fighting performance. Ishak Belfodil scored the only goal of the game (31’). With the win, the Green-Whites stay unbeaten at home in 36 DFB-Pokal matches.
Line-up and formation: Werder head coach Alexander Nouri made four changes from the 0-0 draw in Cologne. Milos Veljkovic, Robert Bauer, Ulisses Garcia and Philipp Bargfrede came into the starting lineup. In their place, Maximilian Eggestein and Florian Kainz dropped to the bench, Lamine Sané was given a rest and Fin Bartels was suspended. The Green-Whites lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation. With Ludwig Augustinsson and Theo Gebre Selassie, two wing-backs played in the left and right attacking midfield positions.
6th minute: First good chance for Werder. Ishak Belfodil wins the ball in midfield and plays in Zlatko Junuzovic. The Austrian weaves his way into the penalty area but his left-footed shot goes just wide of the far post. A lively and courageous start from the Green-Whites.
19th minute: First chance for the visitors. Robin Hack shoots from range but his shot flies just over the crossbar. Werder are sitting deep in their own half and looking to counter but they have been alert in defence so far.
25th minute: SVW go close again. After a free-kick, the second ball falls to Thomas Delaney who heads it just wide of the far post. At the other end, Kerem Demirbay is allowed too much space in the box but Milos Veljkovic blocks his shot from the edge of the six-yard box.
31st minute: GOAAAAAALLL FOR WERDER! Ishak Belfodil scores his first goal for the Green-Whites! From a corner, Thomas Delaney flicks the ball on with his head at the near post and Belfodil nips in to bury the ball home from close range!
45th minute: Half-time at the Weserstadion! A brilliant showing from the team so far. Solid in defence whilst in attack, Belfodil is thriving in attack, particularly since his goal. He did have a brief altercation with Kevin Vogt shortly before half-time, resulting in them both being shown yellow cards.
52nd minute: Andrej Kramaric smashes the crossbar with a central free-kick from 25 yards out. Jiri Pavlenka could not have got near it.
68th minute: Ulisses Garcia tries with a shot but it does not have enough power behind it. It is a raucous atmosphere inside the Weserstadion, what great support once again from the Werder fans!
74th minute: After a high ball into the area, Mark Uth slips free in front of Pavlenka but misses the ball and goes down injured. And breathe!
90th minute: A shot from distance from Kramaric, Pavlenka holds on. Four minutes of stoppage time, hold firm, lads!
90+3 minute: WHAT A SAVE! PAVLENKA! Hübner is free in the box to direct a header on goal but the Czech stopper reacts to tip the ball over the bar!
90+5 minute: YES! Werder win 1-0 against Hoffenheim and are into the DFB-Pokal last 16!
Summary: Werder were disciplined and clinical. The defence kept Hoffenheim at bay and restricted them to long-range efforts whilst the attacking players countered whenever possible. One of these counters led to the corner for the winning goal. In the second half, Nouri’s men didn’t push forward enough to relieve the pressure so it became a backs-to-the-wall job. But the Green-Whites held firm to earn their progression to the next round. It is back to the Bundesliga on Sunday with a home game against FC Augsburg (KO 15:30).
