Lackluster, but confident: Leverkusen also wins in Bremen
It doesn't always have to be all glitz and glamour: Bayer Leverkusen fulfilled their Bundesliga duty at Werder Bremen with a confident, sober and effective 3:0 (2:0) and regained the lead in the table from Bayern Munich after just one day.
An own goal from Bremen's Olivier Deman (9th minute) after a cross from Jonas Hofmann and Jeremie Frimpong (43rd minute) with a powerful shot steered the Werkself to their eleventh win in the twelfth league game of the season before the break on Saturday. Alejandro Grimaldo (76) added the final goal in the second half.
Bremen, meanwhile, suffered an unexpected setback after three games without defeat with a total of five points. They will have to pick up points against other teams to stay in the league. Despite a good performance, Werder were never able to stop the season's high-flyers from Leverkusen.
Werder again with the same starting eleven
In front of 42,100 spectators in the sold-out Weserstadion, coach Ole Werner, who was recovering from a flu-like infection, sent the same starting line-up onto the pitch for the fourth time in a row. This also meant that Michael Zetterer was once again in goal and thus decided the duel against long-time regular keeper Jiri Pavlenka in his favor for the time being. The Czech had returned from his adductor injury. But Zetterer had impressed as a substitute in the last four games. For Leverkusen, international Jonathan Tah had to make way for DFB debutant Robert Andrich in central defense.
The visitors allowed Bremen to come forward in the opening minutes, but then increasingly took control with their classy play. A goal by Victor Boniface (6') was rightly whistled offside. Otherwise, Bayer initially failed to create any major chances. This time, Deman's own goal was enough to give them the lead.
Werder concentrated on defending and tried to create offensive actions from time to time. However, these fizzled out against Leverkusen's strong defensive chain and due to a lack of consistency. The duo of Rafael Borré and Marvin Ducksch were out of the game for a long time. Shortly before the changeover, one action was enough for the league leaders to increase their lead thanks to Frimpong.
Leverkusen continued to try and control the game after the break. However, the highly talented team continued to refrain from exuding any playful brilliance. Werder tried everything they could to keep up and hold their own. They succeeded for a while. The supposed follow-up goal by new international Ducksch (62') was disallowed due to an offside position of pass provider Romano Schmid.
Bremen coach Werner stepped up the attack, bringing on Nick Woltemade and Justin Njinmah (72'). Four minutes later, the plans were over when Grimaldo made the difference. Werder did not give up after that - and were unlucky: Njinmah (85) only hit the crossbar.
Bayer Leverkusen's victory over Werder Bremen in the Bundesliga further solidified their position at the top, with Jeremie Frimpong scoring a powerful shot in the first half and Alejandro Grimaldo adding another goal in the second. Despite a good performance, Werder Bremen struggled to contain Leverkusen's high-flying form in the Soccer Bundesliga.
Despite Bayer Leverkusen taking control of the game with their classy play, Werder Bremen's duo of Rafael Borré and Marvin Ducksch found it difficult to make an impact against Leverkusen's strong defensive line in their Bundesliga matchup.
Source: www.dpa.com
