Werder lost 2-1 in Dortmund on Saturday evening. The hosts went 2-0 up in the first half through Paco Alcacer (20’) and Marco Reus (27’), before Max Kruse hit a ferocious right-footed volley to pull one back for Werder (35’). Kruse had the best chance to snatch an equaliser just after the break, but there were no further goals in the second half and Dortmund took all three points.
Line-up and formation: Florian Kohfeldt made three changes from the home win over Düsseldorf. Niklas Moisander’s suspension was over so he came in for Marco Friedl. Nuri Sahin came in for Kevin Möhwald on his return to his former club, and Martin Harnik started in the place of Claudio Pizarro.
7 mins: Davy Klaassen somehow stops Dortmund going in front! It’s a well-worked move from the hosts that ends with Paco Alcacer dinking the ball over the head of Pavlenka. The whole stadium thinks the ball is about to bounce into the net, but Davy Klaassen doesn’t give up and clears the ball off the line!
15 mins: Klaassen has to go off after injuring himself while clearing the ball. Kevin Möhwald is on in his place.
19 mins: Goal for Dortmund. Alcacer heads in from a free-kick and the goal stands after the referee checks with VAR.
27 mins: Dortmund go 2-0 up. Werder are a bit unlucky and lose the ball in the centre of the pitch. Jadon Sancho picks it up and finds Marco Reus in the box, who strokes his finish into the bottom corner.
35 mins: GOAL for Werder! And what a goal! Max Kruse hits a powerful volley with his right foot high into the Dortmund goal – Werder are right back in this!
45+2 mins: A bit of drama before half time – Martin Harnik rounds the ‘keeper around 35 yards from goal and is brought down by a Dortmund defender. The referee only shows a yellow card, judging that the hosts had enough cover. Shortly after, he blows for half time.
47 mins: Almost the equaliser! The ball once again finds its way onto Max Kruse’s right foot, and Bürki just about manages to tip his effort round the post!
68 mins: Pavlenka to the rescue! First, he saves one-on-one from Jadon Sancho, before parrying a long-distance shot from Thomas Delaney.
83 mins: Yuya Osako is on for Milot Rashica and Joshua Sargent comes on for Maxi Eggestein.
90+5 mins: There’s time for some more drama as Dortmund have a third ruled out for offside. After VAR rules out the goal, the referee blows for full time.
Match summary: Werder put in a good performance against the table-toppers and could have grabbed an equaliser. Even though it’s a defeat, the Green-Whites can take spirit from this performance into their remaining games before Christmas.
