Without top scorer Niclas Füllkrug, Werder Bremen had to play against SC Freiburg. His deputy Maximilian Philipp even scored a goal – but that wasn’t enough for Werder to win.
Bremen – Thanks to goals number 1000 and 1001 in its Bundesliga history, the Champions League is still within reach for SC Freiburg. With the 2-1 (0-0) win at SV Werder Bremen on Sunday, the people of Breisgau not only ended their small winless streak of three games, but also celebrated their 250th victory in the German football league. Roland Sallai (67th) scored the 1000th Bundesliga goal for Freiburg. Lucas Höler (71st) scored the winning goal for the guests a little later, who are fifth and one point behind the places in the premier class.
The Bremen team took the lead immediately after the break through Maximilian Philipp, a replacement by the Füllkrug. The promoted team has now been waiting for success for six games and has not yet got rid of all relegation worries.
Werder coach Ole Werner had brought in Philipp for Niclas Füllkrug, who was injured in the calf. For the 29-year-old, after eight substitutions, it was his debut in the Bremen jersey – against his former club. The loan from VfL Wolfsburg also had the first chance. His shot in the second minute was blocked at the last moment. Otherwise, Bremen’s game passed Philipp for a long time.
Both teams played disciplined and neutralized each other in the first half. Freiburg had slightly more possession, but Werder seemed more determined on offense. Marvin Ducksch in particular tried to tear gaps in the overall safe Freiburg defense. Even without his congenial Sturm partner, Füllkrug, he was Bremen’s most conspicuous player for a long time.
The guests had to cope with the injury-related absences of Michael Gregoritsch in attack and Manuel Gulde in defense. Sallai played for Gregoritsch, Philipp Lienhart replaced Gulde.
In the first 45 minutes of a long game with few chances, Freiburg had their best chance with a 20-metre free-kick from Vincenzo Grifo (26′). Bremen goalkeeper Jiri Pavlenka was only able to deflect the ball forward, Sallai was unable to convert the rebound. Otherwise, the Werder defense, like Freiburg, hardly allowed anything.
After the change, the game picked up speed in front of 41,500 spectators in the sold-out Weser Stadium. Werder used the first chance to counterattack via the strong Leonardo Bittencourt, who passed to Philipp. The pitcher replacement completed successfully.
Freiburg became more offensive after falling behind. Werder initially remained stable and had the most spectacular scene: an overhead kick by Philipp (61st) forced Freiburg’s Mark Flekken to do a brilliant job. Both clapped after the action.
Nevertheless, the guests got stronger and managed to turn the game around with the very good Sallai and Höler. Bremen needed some time to digest that. Freiburg had little trouble controlling the game. Only in the final phase did the hosts increase the pressure again, and the well-deserved equalizer didn’t want to fall anymore.
Things got emotional again briefly when Freiburg’s Nils Petersen was substituted on to applause by the Bremen fans. The 34-year-old played in Bremen from 2012 to 2014 and announced his retirement at the end of the season.
