Bundesliga: Werder Bremen with a draw in the comeback, Union Berlin dominates Hertha BSC

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Leonardo Bittencourt, who was only 1.71 meters tall, made it 2-1 for Bremen with a header (23rd minute).

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FABIAN BIMMER / REUTERS

Newly promoted Werder Bremen started the new Bundesliga season with a draw.

In the 2-2 (2-1) win over VfL Wolfsburg and their new coach Niko Kovač, Bremen conceded the late equalizer from Josuha Guilavogui (84th minute).

Previously, Niclas Füllkrug (21') and Leonardo Bittencourt (23') turned the game around for Werder after Lukas Nmecha gave Wolfsburg an early lead (11').

Although Bremen started powerfully, they fell behind early on.

Patrick Wimmer dribbled past Bremen's Jens Stage on the edge of the penalty area and put it through to Nmencha at the right moment.

He didn't give Werder goalkeeper Jiří Pavlenka a chance with a remarkable lob in the far corner (11').

Nmecha almost made it 2-0 after a sharp cross from Omar Marmoush (20').

Wolfsburg's left side becomes a weak point

Instead, Werder turned the game around with a quick double strike: First, Füllkrug scored from the left half-space, where the attacker could walk several meters without being attacked.

From around 18 meters he shot the ball low into the right corner (21st).

Only a little later it was Marvin Ducksch who didn't get any pressure from Wolfsburg's defense on the left flank.

His cross came up between the two VfL central defenders in the penalty area, where the 1.71 meter tall Leonardo Bittencourt headed backwards into the left corner (23').

The ball was unstoppable for Wolfsburg keeper Koen Casteels.

But it wasn't enough for three points, because in the final phase the ball landed in front of the feet of substitute Josuha Guilavogui after a Wolfsburg cross, who scored the equalizer from close range (84th).

Everything the same in Berlin.

Last season, Union won three city derbies against Hertha (twice in the league, once in the cup).

At the start of the new season, Union showed no weaknesses and won 3-1 (1-0) thanks to goals from Jordan Siebatcheu (31st), Sheraldo Becker (50th) and Robin Knoche (54th).

Hertha's Dodi Lukebakio's goal degenerated into a side note (85).

Before the game, Hertha hoped for a boost from new coach Sandro Schwarz – and was disappointed.

Hertha played as conservative as in large parts of the previous season.

And because Union didn't come forward decisively either, little happened in the penalty areas for a long time.

Instead, both teams fought passionately before Siebatcheu lurked completely free in the Hertha penalty area after a cross from Sheraldo Becker and gave Union the lead from close range (31').

Union then had more of the game, from Hertha there was little.

Almost logically, the strong Sheraldo Becker made it 2-0 after a nice combination (50th).

Union made the game after that as well, after a corner Robin Knoche increased the lead to 3-0 with a header (54th).

In the stands, the new Hertha President Kay Bernstein clearly suffered from the weak performance of his team.

A late goal from Lukebakio didn't change that (85').

Gladbach turned the game against Hoffenheim and gave his new coach Daniel Farke a successful debut with a 3-1 (1-1) win.

The goals were worth seeing: First Gladbach's Ramy Bensebaini scored the 1:1 with an overhead kick (42nd), then Marcus Thuram made it 2:1 (71st) after a dream combination.

Shortly afterwards, Nico Elvedi made it 3-1 (78th).

Robert Skov had previously given Hoffenheim the lead (25th).

TSG made life difficult for themselves and had to play outnumbered for more than 70 minutes after defender Stefan Posch received an early yellow-red card.

The game started very badly for Hoffenheim and its new coach Andre Breitenreiter.

Even before there were the first chances, defender Stefan Posch was sent off with a yellow card.

First he fouled Florian Neuhaus in midfield (15th), then he wanted to clear Ramy Bensebaini and only hit the opponent.

Referee Daniel Siebert sent the Austrian down in the 19th minute – and Hoffenheim woke up.

After an unsuccessful attack by Gladbach, TSG countered and Robert Skov completed the goal coolly.

After that, Gladbach made the game, but did not come through for a long time.

Only Bensebaini redeemed the home team when he equalized after a corner that newcomer Kō Itakura headed in in the penalty area with an overhead kick (42).

Gladbach continued to dominate after that, but Joe Scally only hit the crossbar (47').

Attacker Alassane Pléa also missed several good chances.

Only Thuram redeemed Gladbach in the 71st minute, when he thoughtfully completed a nice move after preparatory work by Plea.

Elvedi made everything clear shortly afterwards (78th).

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