Werder’s counter-attacking too much for Leverkusen

Kruse and Rashica score in 3-1 win
Max Kruse put Werder ahead after 13 minutes (Photo: Nordphoto).
Match Report
Sunday, 17.03.2019 / 15:31

Werder Bremen have edged closer to the European places thanks to a hard-fought victory in Leverkusen. The home side had most of the possession, but Werder were deadly on the counter-attack and finished their chances. Kruse put the Green-Whites in front after 13 minutes with a pinpoint finish after the Eggestein brothers combined. Milot Rashica then doubled the lead in the 37th minute, with Kruse getting the assist. Leon Bailey pulled one back for Leverkusen, but Kruse scored in injury time to put the game to bed and secure the points for Werder.

Line-up and formation: Florian Kohfeldt was forced to make changes from Werder’s win against Schalke. Milos Veljkovic was suspended so Marco Friedl came into the side, and Nuri Sahin came in for the injured Philipp Bargfrede. Johannes Eggestein came in for Claudio Pizarro, who is also injured. Sebastian Langkamp returned the bench following his shoulder injury.

 

Werder in front at the break

Milot Rashica scored his seventh goal of 2019 to put Werder 2-0 up (Photo: Nordphoto).

4 mins: After a good combination between Pavlenka, Moisander, Sahin, Augustinsson and Kruse, Jojo Eggestein forces a good save from Hradecky.

13 mins: GOOAALL for Werder – Max Kruse! Gebre Selassie flicks on Moisander’s pass before Jojo Eggestein finds his brother with another clever flick. Maxi then plays a perfect pass for Max Kruse, who takes the ball onto his left foot and finishes into the corner!

34 mins: Marco Friedl with a great block! Leverkusen work the ball well and Brandt shoots, but Friedl slides in with a goal-saving block!

37 mins: GOOOOAALLL for Werder – Milot Rashica! Another counter attack, this time from Friedl, Klaassen and Jojo Eggestein ends with Kruse squaring the ball for Rashica and the rocket man puts Werder 2-0 up!

45+1 mins: Half time, with Werder two goals to the good.

Werder soak up the pressure then strike back

Leon Bailey's furious free-kick got one back for Leverkusen (Photo: Nordphoto).

54 mins: Havertz puts the ball in from a corner, but the goal is ruled out for handball.

59 mins: Sahin hits the bar with a free kick!

64 mins: Pavlenka makes a great save to deny Bender from around 20 yards out.

75 mins: Bailey gets one back for the hosts. Leverkusen have a free kick from around 25 yards out and Leon Bailey smashes the ball in off the bar. Pavlenka had no chance.

90+5 mins: GOOOAAALL for Werder – Max Kruse! Werder counter-attack yet again, with Bartels finding Harnik on the right wing. The striker plays a first-time pass out to Max Kruse who controls well, cuts inside on his right foot and chips the ball into the back of the net!

90+7 mins: Full time!

Match summary: What a game in Leverkusen. Both teams played some really good football and the game was often end-to-end. Leverkusen had much more possession than Werder, but the Green-Whites were efficient on the counter and take home all three points.

 
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