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Scorer filling jug
Photo: Carmen Jaspersen / dpa
Werder Bremen won the top game of the 2nd Bundesliga and climbed to second place.
Werder won 1-0 (0-0) in the duel against their neighbor Darmstadt, Niklas Füllkrug scored the only goal of the day in the 52nd minute.
After a red card for Klaus Gjasula, Darmstadt played 67 minutes outnumbered.
Bremen caught up on points with leaders FC St. Pauli, both have 51. Darmstadt slipped to third place, three points behind, which would entitle them to relegation.
Behind lurks Schalke 04 with another point less.
Darmstadt's Gjasula was sent off in the 23rd minute after Romano Schmid kicked his knee.
Referee Robert Schröder initially only issued a warning, but changed his decision after studying the video images.
Lieberknecht slaps his hands over his head
Up to this point, the guests had the game well under control thanks to their ball security.
The weakened Bremen team were missing four regular players in front of 41,000 spectators in the almost sold-out Weser Stadium, which slowed down the actions of the hosts.
After being sent off, Werder got into the game better.
Füllkrug failed in the 26th and 29th minute from close range to Marcel shoes.
The 98 goalkeeper also saved Felix Agu's long-range shot (45+1).
The Bremen team then took the lead after the break with a well-played counterattack via Milos Veljkovic, Schmid, Eren Dinkci and the goalscorer Füllkrug.
Darmstadt coach Torsten Lieberknecht saw the disaster coming early and clapped his hands over his head during the attack.
Bremen then missed further good opportunities through Schmidt (62'), Dinkci (63'), Nick Woltemade (90' + 1') and another shot by the strong Schmid (79').
Darmstadt only had one chance to equalize through Braydon Manu (77th).
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