Werder beat Kosovo 2-0

Felix Kroos and SVW kept the upper hand throughout the game (photo: nph).
First Team
Friday, 27.03.2015 / 21:52

SV Werder beat Kosovo 2-0, courtesy of goals from Levent Aycicek and Fin Bartels...

SV Werder beat Kosovo 2-0, courtesy of goals from Levent Aycicek and Fin Bartels. In the fiercly competitive game, Aycicek's free-kick gave Werder a first half lead. Casteels made several great saves to protect the team's lead, before substitute Bartels secured the victory with an exquisite volley.

Line-up and formation:
Viktor Skripnik opted for a diamond formation. Caldirola and Lukimya started in central defence with Sternberg and Busch as the full backs. Kroos sat in holding midfield, while Fröde and Makiadi played on the wings. Aycicek took up the role of playmaker behind the attacking duo of Di Santo and Eggestein.

Aycicek scores free kick

Levent Aycicek’s free-kick opened the scoring for SVW (photo: nph).

9th minute: Ilir Berisha sees yellow early on for a strong challenge on Franco Di Santo. Just from the opening stages, it's already clear to see that this match is more than just a friendly for Kosovo.

27th minute: GOOOAAALLL for the Green-Whites! Levent Aycicek rifles home an unstoppable free-kick from 25 metres out. He's clearly been watching and learning from Zlatko Junuzovic.

45th minute: Werder lead 1-0 at the break. Aycicek's free-kick was the only shot on goal in the first half. Kosovo threatened at the start but then it was Werder who took control of the game.

Bartels grabs the deciding goal

Both teams were quick to close each other down. Here Enis Alushi takes out Werder‘s Janek Sternberg (photo: nph).

46th minute: No substitutions for either side at half time but the Werder diamond formation has altered. Makiadi is now central, Kroos is out on the wing and Fröde has moved to the right.

55th minute: Energie Cottbus' Fanol Perdedaj with Kosovo's best chance of the game so far. Perdedaj gets through on goal but Koen Casteels tips his shot over the crossbar.

59th minute: After being sidelined for a year through injury, Özkan Yildirim makes his Werder comeback. Moments before the substitution, Kosovo goalkeeper Ujkani had to be alert to deny Kroos from doubling the advantage with a curling effort.

71st minute: Great opportunity for Hilßner to make it 2-0 but his shot skims just past the post. Shortly before Casteels pulled off a fantastic reflex save to deny Kosovo the equaliser.

73rd minute: Aycicek almost grabs his second goal of the game but his free-kick is cleared off the line. That could have settled the match.

88th minute: Fin Bartels makes it 2-0 and puts the game to bed. The substitute volleys home Cedrick Makiadi's pinpoint cross.

Summary: Werder secured victory against highly-motivated opponents. The team took control 15 minutes into the game. Kosovo put Werder under a lot of pressure in the closing stages as they pushed for the equaliser, but Skripnik's team stood strong and defended resolutely. It was a deserved victory for SVW and should stand the team in good stead for the upcoming challenges in the Bundesliga.

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