SV Werder Bremen had to settle for a draw in their fourth friendly of pre-season against Russian champions, Zenit St. Petersburg. A strong start to the match saw the Green-Whites go into the break with a 2-0 lead. After several changes at half-time, it was Zenit who would make the most of their chances as they drew level within 10 minutes. They were the first goals Werder had conceded during pre-season.
Starting XI: Zetterer - Osako, Bittencourt, Füllkrug, Agu, Toprak, Schmidt, Mai, Mbom, M.Eggestein, Dinkci.
Substitutes: Kapino – Straudi, Möhwald, Veljkovic, Nankishi, Sargent, Schmid, J. Eggestein, Park, Gruev, Badjie, Groß, Woltemade.
The highlights:
11th min.: The first shot of the game falls to Werder. Niklas Schmidt has a go from range, as the Zenit goalkeeper fumbles it and it drops to the feet of Niclas Füllkrug, who was offside.
12th min.: A minute later, it’s the guests who counter. Zenit’s striker attempts a shot from the six-yard box, but it’s easily scooped up by Michael Zetterer.
15th min.: Eren Dinkci runs down the wing and plays in a cross that Niclas Füllkrug narrowly misses getting on the end of.
21st min.: Werder score through Eren Dinkci! Yuya Osako picks out the striker with a perfect pass. Dinkci dekes out his opponent and places the ball perfectly into the far corner.
24th min.: Dinkci come close yet again! After a well-played out counter-attack from Werder, Niklas Schmidt picks out Dinkci, who easily beats his man. His shot sails just wind of the target.
32nd min.: Zenit’s Malcom finds the space to take a shot, but it goes just over the crossbar.
39th min.: Yuya Osako picks out Niclas Füllkrug with a cross, but his header just misses the target.
45th min.: Niclas Füllkrug with Werder’s second of the night! After winning back possession, Niklas Schmidt finds Leonardo Bittencourt. The latter is then brought down in the box, with Niclas Füllkrug stepping up to convert the penalty.
45th min.: Half-time in Zillertal, as Werder take a deserved 2-0 lead with them into the break.
50th min.: Zenit start strong and are really pressuring the Werder goal.
55th min.: Abdenego Nankishi beats his marker and is brought down, with Werder awarded a free kick. Maximilian Eggestein gets on the end of it, but his shot sails just wide.
58th min.: Zenit score to make it 2-1. Malcom finds Driussi, who leaves Stefanos Kapino with no chance.
68th min.: 2-2. Zenit get the equaliser they have been looking for, as Mosovoy taps home to make it 2-2.
80th min.: Abdenego Nankishi finds Romano Schmid, who plays through to Josh Sargent. His first-time shot flies high over the bar.
87th min.: Nick Woltemade wins a free kick on the edge of the box. Kevin Möhwald steps up to take it and just misses the net.
90th min.: Werder and Zenit have to settle for a 2-2 draw.
Recap: Zenit St. Petersburg were a tough opponent, as expected. In a game of two halves, the draw is a deserved result for both teams. Werder dominated the opening 45 minutes, creating several chances on goal and going into the break with a deserved 2-0 lead. After the break, it was Zenit who dominated proceedings. After several chances, the Russian champions were rewarded with two goals within the span of 10 minutes.
