Season's first victory, 2-1 win in Mainz

Franco Di Santo was first to a rebound and headed in the important equaliser 1-1 (Photo: nph).
First Team
Saturday, 01.11.2014 / 18:08

After the 2-0 cup victory in Chemnitz, Werder Bremen picked up their first Bundesliga win of the season with a 2-1 triumph at Mainz 05 in the first league match under new coach Viktor...



After the 2-0 cup victory in Chemnitz, Werder Bremen picked up their first Bundesliga win of the season with a 2-1 triumph at Mainz 05 in the first league match under new coach Viktor Skripnik. Shinji Okazaki gave Mainz the lead before Franco Di Santo scored twice for the Green-Whites. With the victory, Werder jumped one spot in the table from 18th to 17th.

Early goal conceded
The new coach made two changes to his starting line-up with Ludovic Obraniak and Zlatko Junuzovic coming in for Izet Hajrovic and Levent Aycicek. Werder came into the game with momentum after the 2-0 cup win in Chemnitz. But they were in trouble after just three minutes as Julian Baumgartlinger passed to Okazaki and the Japanese international got past three Werder players and then scored to make it 1-0 for Mainz. It couldn't have been a worse start of Werder. But Werder keeper Raphael Wolf saved it from being even worse just three minutes later, making a good save on Okazaki's header.

Ludovic Obraniak in a duel during the game against Mainz 05 (Photo: nph).

Equaliser by Di Santo
Skripnik's team had major problems with the hosts' quick passing game and didn't have a chance until Santiago Garcia's long range blast in the 15th minute. At the other end, Yunus Malli's shot from 17 yards went just inches wide. In the 44th minute, Fin Bartels was fouled in the box by the Mainz keeper Loris Karius. Di Santo took the responsibility but Karius was able to block Di Santo's shot. But the Argentinean got to the rebound first and headed in the equaliser 1-1. That was the score at half-time.

Lead for Werder
Werder grabbed the lead 2-1 in the 49th minute, changing the entire dynamic of the match. Felix Kroos played a superb ball into the run of Di Santo, who beat Karius from a tight angle. That gave the Green-Whites more confidence as they played strong defence and were dangerous on the counter attack. In the 59th minute, Clemens Fritz sent his shot just off the outside of the upright. In the final minutes, Mainz pushed forward with everything they had but the Green-Whites continued to play tough defence and held on for the tight victory.

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