SV Werder were handed a 3-0 defeat by RB Leipzig on Bundesliga Matchday 22. Lukas Klostermann (18’) and Patrik Schick (39’) opened the scoring for RBL in the first half, with Nordi Mukiele sealing the victory just moments after the break (46’). To make matters worse, SVW were also dealt with a huge injury blow.
Line up and formation: Theo Gebre Selassie is back! The fullback went straight back into Florian Kohfeldt’s starting XI after recovering from a thigh injury. There was one more change to the line up as Milos Veljkovic came in for Ömer Toprak. Gebre Selassie replaced the suspended Davie Selke.
Werder’s starting XI: Pavlenka, Vogt, Rashica, Osako, Bittencourt, Veljkovic, Moisander, Gebre Selassie, Klaassen, Friedl and M. Eggestein.
On the bench: Kapino, Pizarro, Sahin, Sargent, Toprak, J. Eggestein, Gruev, Groß and Woltemade.
The highlights from the first half:
18th minute: Goal for Leipzig. Dani Olmo whips in a free kick, finding the feet of Patrik Schick, who diverts the ball into the path of Lukas Klostermann to tap into an empty net. The goal comes after a good period of play from SVW. Maxi Eggestein was shown his fifth yellow card of the season for his foul that led to the free kick, and will therefore be suspended for next weekend’s game against Dortmund.
26th minute: Kevin Vogt prevents the hosts from doubling their lead. Schick gets himself in on goal after latching onto Marco Friedl’s misplaced pass, but Vogt makes a brilliant tackle to deny the striker.
33rd minute: Marco Friedl releases a sweet strike from outside of the area, however the ball travels narrowly past the post and out for a goal kick.
39th minute: 2-0 to Leipzig. Another set piece. Olmo’s cross finds the head of Patrik Schick, who nods past Jiri Pavlenka to score.
45th minute +3: Werder almost pull one back! Leo Bittencourt’s well-struck cross deflects off the foot of Dayot Upamecano and almost creeps in at the near post, but Peter Gulasci manages to get a hand on it. Half time.
The highlights from the second half:
46th minute: 3-0 to Leipzig. The first attack of the half goes in. Laimer pings a long ball over the top, finding Nordi Mukiele in behind the defence who pulls off a first time finish with his left foot.
59th minute: Kevin Vogt has now gone down with an injury. The winter signing will unfortunately have to be replaced, with Ömer Toprak stripped and ready to come on. Hopefully it’s nothing serious!
90th minute: Full time in Leipzig. Werder lose 3-0.
Match summary: Nothing in it for us in Leipzig. The focus switches to next week as Borussia Dortmund return to the WESERSTADION on Saturday 22nd February (15:30 CET). Hopefully it will be a repeat of their last trip to Bremen.
