Werder beaten by Bayern despite spirited performance

Team news: Ole Werner made two changes compared to the 2-1 defeat at FC Schalke 04: Amos Pieper and Romano Schmid replaced Milos Veljkovic and Maximilian Philipp in the starting eleven. Eren Dinkci returned to the squad after a foot injury.

Starting XI: Pavlenka – Jung, Stark, Pieper, Stage, Ducksch, Weiser, Bittencourt, Schmid, Friedl and Groß.

The bench: Zetterer – Veljkovic, Philipp, Dinkci, Schmidt, Buchanan, Gruev, Mbom, Chiarodia.

Werder grow into the game despite Bayern’s possession

Christian Groß falling to his knees after his chance.

Christian Groß had a great opportunity to give Werder the lead in the 35th minute (Photo: W.DE).

Highlights from the first half:

10th minute: Kimmich is free at the far post after a diagonal pass. The Bayern captain skilfully takes the ball down and chips it towards Mané, but Pieper is alert and heads it clear.

21st minute: A top-class save! Kimmich plays a free-kick from halfway into the centre, where Pavard jumps to head the ball. SVW goalkeeper Jiri Pavlenka makes an excellent reflex save to prevent the visitors from taking the lead.

34th minute: Now Ole Werner’s team are also in a dangerous position in Bayern’s penalty area for the first time. Schmid hits the ball sharply across goal from the sideline and Weiser is unable to connect in the six-yard box.

35th minute: Another opportunity for Werder! Groß can’t be tackled by several Bayern players and takes a shot from 15 yards, which goes just over the crossbar.

Schmidt’s wonder goal shakes Bayern

Werder gave everything until the end, but the deficit was too great (Photo: W.DE).

Highlights from the second half:

55th minute: The visitors have perhaps their best chance of the game: Gnabry drives forward again towards the goalline and plays in Mané, who hits the ball wide eight yards from goal.

58th minute: Werder are being more courageous now. In the tightest of spaces, the home side link up well towards Sommer’s goal. In the end, however, Weiser cannot get firm control of the ball to take a clean shot.

62nd minute: Bayern take the lead. A Mané cross from the left wing slips through to former Werder player Gnabry, who easily slots home from close range to make it 1-0.

72nd minute: The visitors double their lead. Mazraoui plays the ball through to Sané on the right-hand side. The substitute side foots the ball from a tight angle straight into the far left corner.

76th minute: After a short corner, a cross from Ducksch becomes a dangerous shot on goal, but the ball just sails wide of the far post.

86th minute: Werder get a goal back! Niklas Schmidt is not pressed and allowed to dribble forward and shoots from 25 yards out. The ball flies into the top right corner in front of the Ostkurve to make it 2-1.

90th+6 minute: Full time. Despite a fast-paced final period, Werder lose 2-1.

Summary: After FC Bayern started by having a lot of possession, the Green-Whites worked their way more and more into the game as it progressed. Shortly before the break, when SV Werder had more confidence, they had the chance to take the lead. In the second half, Serge Gnabry’s opening goal served as the catalyst for Bayern, and Ole Werner’s eleven couldn’t recover despite all their efforts.

Werder grow into the game despite Bayern’s possession

Christian Groß had a great opportunity to give Werder the lead in the 35th minute (Photo: W.DE).

Highlights from the first half:

10th minute: Kimmich is free at the far post after a diagonal pass. The Bayern captain skilfully takes the ball down and chips it towards Mané, but Pieper is alert and heads it clear.

35th minute: Another opportunity for Werder! Groß can’t be tackled by several Bayern players and takes a shot from 15 yards, which goes just over the crossbar.