It just wasn't to be. Werder beaten 3-2 in Dortmund

In the end defeated, but Lukimya and Co. fought bravely until the end. (photo: nph)
First Team
Saturday, 23.05.2015 / 18:33

Europe just wasn't to be for Werder. Bremen needed to beat Borussia Dortmund to finish in 7th place and stand any chance of qualifying for Europe. Alas, they were beaten...

Europe just wasn't to be for Werder. Bremen needed to beat Borussia Dortmund to finish in 7th place and stand any chance of qualifying for Europe. Alas, they were beaten 3-2 in an exciting game in Dortmund. In front of a typically loud crowd of 80,667 fans, the Green Whites went behind to two quick goals from Shinji Kagawa and Pierre Emerick Aubameyang early on. Levin Öztunali's first Bundesliga goal for Werder pulled one back for Werder mid way through the first half, before Henrikh Mkhitaryan added a third just before the break. The late consolation goal from Theo Gebre Selassie came too late for Werder to salvage anything from the game, with just five minutes remaining. The result meant that Werder finished in tenth place in the league - a more than respectable position.

Line up and formation: The Green Whites were without captain Fritz for the game, as well as Bargfrede and Selke. Caldirola and Gálvez were also missing with long standing injuries. Manager Viktor Skripnik sent his team out with a 4-1-4-1 system, with Kroos just ahead of the back four. Di Santo led the team in attack, ahead of the four midfielders Öztunali, Junuzovic, Bartels and Busch. Lukimya also retained his position in the starting XI alongside Vestergaard.

Mkhitaryan goal halts Werder comeback

Levin Öztunali's first Werder goal was a mere consolation in the end. (photo: nph)

Match highlights:

2nd min: After just 90 seconds it is clear how tough this game will be for the Werder defence. Casteels is forced to save twice from Mkhitaryan.

9th min: Reus cuts in from the left and plays it into Aubameyang, who stretches to volley the ball towards goal with his left foot, but the ball hammers against the upright and stays out. Phew!

15th min: Goal, 1-0 to BVB. Shinji Kagawa. Vestergaard's pass out of defence is intercepted by Bartels, the ball comes into the penalty area where a composed Kagawa slots the ball past Casteels to give Dortmund the lead.

17th min: Goal, 2-0 to BVB. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. The hosts double their lead immediately. Werder's defence is torn apart by a one-two between Aubameyang and Kagawa, leaving the attacker free to score from the left side into the bottom right corner.

26th min: GOOOOOAAAAL FOR Werder! 2-1 Levin Öztunali! All of a sudden, Werder are back in the game after great bit of skill and composure from Öztunali to finish from just inside the box.

36th min: Almost an equaliser! A great counter by Werder from inside their own half. The ball falls to Junuzovic, who plays it through to Di Santo who is sprinting free on goal, but his first touch is just too heavy, allowing Weidenfeller to sweep the ball away just in time to deny a goal.

40th min: First BVB chance since the goals. Mkhitaryan finds Reus in space, but the German's shot is saved with relative ease by Casteels.

42nd min. Goal, 3-1 to BVB. Henrikh Mkhitaryan. Unlucky. Following a Bremen corner, BVB win the ball back and play it forward to Kagawa, whose long ball over the defence finds Mkhitaryan who chips the ball over Casteels from 12 yards out.

45th + 1 min: Half time in Dortmund. Just seconds before the end Busch had the chance to pull one back following Öztunali's pass, but unfortunately he couldn't take advantage.

Gebre Selassie’s goal comes too late

Zlatko Junuzovic was key to both of Werder's goals once again against BVB. (photo: nph)

53rd min: Casteels saves brilliant from Reus once more, with a low diving save to deny the Dortmund man from the edge of the box.

54th min: Directly afterwards comes Werder's first chance of the second half. A swift pass forward falls to Bartels, whose shot flies high over the bar.

57th min:
Full of confidence after his first Bundesliga goal, Öztunali carries the ball through the middle and shoots from 25 yards, but Weidenfeller dives low to keep it out.

61st min: Aubameyang attacks Schmelzer's cross with an audacious overhead kick attempt and the ball flies just half a metre over.

85th min: GOOOAL, 2-3! Theo Gebre Selassie! Werder pull another goal back. Gebre Selassie pokes in from a teasing Junuzovic free-kick from 6 yards out. Time for a comeback?

90th + 3 min: Full time. Werder gave everything, but couldn't rescue a draw.


Summary: Dortmund were desperate to give Jürgen Klopp and Sebastian Kehl the perfect send off, which meant it was always going to be tough for the Werder defence. The two early goals were a big blow to Werder, but as so often this season, Skripnik's men fought hard and bravely, with Zlatko Junuzovic at the heart of their attacks. Even though BVB wasted many chances, Bremen gave their all until the last minute to try and rescue a point. Unfortunately, it wasn't to be. 

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