Unfortunate Penalty Spoils Victory for Werder: Will It Cost Them Europe?

Werder were very close to victory until an unfortunate penalty in stoppage time spoiled everything.

In their 1000th home game in league history, Bremen scored a late goal 2:2 against Gladbach two points in the fight for Europe. And that’s because captain Marco Friedl’s ball bounces off Cvancara’s slightly loose hand (89′). After VAR advice, the referee Gerach marks the point, Neuhaus takes into account the final score.

Friedl officiated: “They had all the offense at the end, but it was never dangerous. And such a dirty deed will give us three points. I can’t go into the penalty area without arms every time.”

Will the unlucky penalty cost Werder Europe?

With a 2-1 win, Werder would have moved up to 9th place, level on points with Hoffenheim (8th) and therefore very close to Europe. A missed opportunity!

Friedl: “If we had won the game, we would have taken a good step towards being able to play in Europe next year. By one point it is getting more difficult now…”

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The most important thing: Werder was saved by winning the points and survived the second season after promotion without any worries until the end.

The question of whether even more can be achieved this season remains unanswered. With two points three points in the remaining games in Leipzig and against Bochum and then 44 points, 8th place and Europe could still work out. Coach Ole Werner (he was 36 on the day of the match): “It’s in our hands to get these points.” Friedl: “You have to win both games now, and maybe there’s a chance.”