Victory in our first home game of 2024

Line-up and formation: Head coach Ole Werner made three changes to the side that emerged victorious in Munich for the clash against Freiburg. Mitchell Weiser was ruled out at the last minute with an adductor problem, which saw Felix Agu get named in the starting XI. Olivier Deman started down the left, while Marvin Ducksch also made his return after suspension.

Werder’s starting XI: Zetterer, Deman, Jung, Stark, Stage, Ducksch, Lynen, Njinmah, Schmid, Agu, Friedl.

Bench: Pavlenka, Kownacki, Bittencourt, Borré, Malatini, Woltemade, Groß.

On level pegging after two goals from penalties

Marvin Ducksch celebrating scoring his penalty against Freiburg.

Marvin Ducksch was back with a bang after his suspension (Photo: W.DE).

First-half highlights:

9th minute: Marvin Ducksch slots away a penalty into the bottom left corner to give SVW a 1-0 lead. After the goal, Werder’s number 7 hugs his fellow striker Woltemade, who had taken his spot in the starting XI him for the win at Bayern.

17th minute: On the ninth anniversary of his move to SV Werder, Zetterer gets down well to his left to make a fantastic save from a diving header.

28th minute: Freiburg level the scoring from the spot through Vincenzo Griffo after Deman trips up Weißhaupt. It’s unlucky from the Belgian, but Griffo unfortunately makes no mistake from twelve yards and also places his spot-kick down the left.

38th minute: After a long period of possession, Justin Njinmah finds space in the box and has a pop, but sees his effort blocked.

45th minute +2: Werder create another good opportunity, which sees Njinmah take on two Freiburg players down the left and find Ducksch with a delivery into the box. The Germany international is unable to get the ball under control immediately, and his shot is blocked.

Starboy strikes again and a dream debut for Malatini

Njinmah celebrating his goal against Freiburg.

Justin Njinmah played out of his skin against Freiburg and was rewarded with a goal (Photo: W.DE).

Second-half highlights:

50th minute: Marvin Ducksch puts it on a plate for Romano Schmid just outside of the Freiburg penalty area, but the Austrian is brought down. Referee Hartmann deliberates, but, much to the disagreement of the home fans, decides to let play continue.

53th minute: Werder take back their lead! Njinmah drives inside from the right, leaving the Freiburg defenders with no chance. The youngster lets fly from 18 metres out, and hits the bottom left corner with a picture-perfect finish. Let’s go, Green-Whites!

60th minute: Justin’s back at it again! The 23-year-old combines with Ducksch on the right and lines one up, but he can’t get a good connection on his strike and it flies just shy of the post.

82nd minute:Leonardo Bittencourt has a stroke of genius and spots Atubolu off his line. Werder’s number 10 attempts to lob the Freiburg keeper, but he just can’t get it to dip early enough and the ball ricochets off the crossbar.

90th minute +3: CRAZY!! Malatini scores on his debut! Only moments after getting brought into action for the first time, the Argentine pounces on a back pass to the Freiburg keeper, takes it round him with ease, and places the ball into the empty net.

90th minute +3: Full time – Werder win 3-1 at home to SC Freiburg!

Summary: The win on Saturday afternoon saw Werder pick up their second lot of three points in a row. Although neither team took control of the first 45, two converted penalties saw the game sit level at the break. The Green-Whites were quick off the blocks in the second half, and were indisputably the stronger side for the remainder of the clash. Njinmah and Malatini’s goals rounded off what was a hard-fought and deserved win for SVW.