Werder defeated 2-0 by superior Leipzig

Penalty and individual effort win Leipzig three points
Joshua Sargent and co. return to Bremen empty handed (photo: nordphoto).
Match Report
Saturday, 12.12.2020 / 17:27

SV Werder fell to defeat away at RB Leipzig on Saturday afternoon, losing 2-0 to Nagelsmann’s side. Florian Kohfeldt’s team started the game well and had an early opportunity through Kevin Möhwald. However, with 25 minutes played it was Ludwig Augustinsson who caught Yussuf Poulsen with an elbow and conceded a penalty, which was emphatically put away by Marcel Sabitzer (26’). Die Roten Bullen doubled their lead shortly before half time through Dani Olmo (41’). The second half saw Kohfeldt’s team try to find a way back into the game, but ultimately fail to create any real chances.

Lineup and formation: Clearly convinced by what he saw in Romano Schmid’s brief appearance against VfB Stuttgart, coach Florian Kohfeldt handed the young Austrian his first Bundesliga start in the Red Bull Arena. Werder’s number 20 replaced Tahith Chong in the starting XI. Kevin Möhwald also returned after his one match suspension after being sent off against Wolfsburg, playing alongside the ever-present Maxi Eggestein in the centre of the park.  These two changes were Kohfeldt’s only two compared to the team that started at home to Stuttgart last weekend. Manuel Mbom was also back in the squad after his suspension for picking up five yellow cards.

Starting XI: Pavlenka, Augustinsson, Friedl, Toprak, Groß, Gebre Selassie, Schmid, Eggestein, Möhwald, Bittencourt, Sargent.

Substitutes: Kapino, Osako, Veljkovic, Agu, Moisander, Chong, Erras, Mbom and Woltemade.

Two goals down at the break

Jiri Pavlenka was called into action a number of times but had no chance with both goals (photo: nordphoto).

First half highlights

3rd minute: SVW start the match strongly and press the hosts energetically. When Leipzig won the ball back, the Green-Whites reverted to a compact five-man defensive line, demonstrating their clear match plan.

22nd minute: Werder lucky not to be behind as good passing play by Nagelsmann’s team plays in Justin Kluivert one-on-one with the goalkeeper. However, the attacker fires over the bar from close range and score remains goalless.

26th minute: Penalty to Leipzig, scored by Marcel Sabitzer. Werder go behind as the Austrian fires his penalty past Pavlenka after Ludwig Augustinsson caught Yussuf Poulsen with an elbow as they contested a high ball.

41st minute: Leipzig double their lead as Dani Olmo makes it 2-0. Yussuf Poulsen finds the Spaniard with a ball from deep and he nutmegs Christian Groß before curling a low effort into the net.

Werder lacking penetration

Christian Groß and Werder were unable to come away with anything from the match in Leipzig (photo: nordphoto).

Second half highlights:

56th minute: Kevin Möhwald finds himself in space and looks to play in Romano Schmid, who is in an offside position. He lets it run to Ludwig Augustinsson but the full-back’s cross is blocked by Dayot Upamecano.

62nd minute: A great chance for Leipzig! Ömer Toprak loses the ball in the middle to Yussuf Poulsen, who immediately switches the ball to Amadou Haidara. Christian Groß slides in at the very last moment to deny the chance!

69th minute: RB Leipzig counter quickly with Justin Kluivert beating Ömer Toprak and finding Yussuf Poulsen, who runs through towards Jirí Pavlenka. His dinked finish beats the goalkeeper but hits the post.

76th minute: Werder are able to hold their own in midfield but cannot get the ball into dangerous positions to really challenge Péter Gulácsi.

90+3 minute: Final whistle. SVW lose 2-0 to Die Roten Bullen.

Conclusion: Werder gave it all they had, especially in the early stages, and never gave up even after the hosts took the lead. In the end, the penalty was the turning point of the game. Ludwig Augustinsson caught Yussuf Poulsen with an elbow as they contested a header and Marcel Sabitzer converted firmly from the spot. Dani Olmo's goal sealed three points for the hosts. In the second half, the Green-Whites continued to try to find a way through, but lacked penetration. RB Leipzig remained compact throughout and dangerous on the attack. On Tuesday, Florian Kohfeldt's team have the chance to make amends as Werder face BVB at home in the wohninvest WESERSTADION.

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