2. Bundesliga: Werder hits the empty Kiel goal

Enlarge image

Fin Bartels (r.) In a duel with Marco Friedl

Photo: Axel Heimken / dpa

SV Werder Bremen continues to have problems in the 2nd Bundesliga: One week after the vaccination affair and the expulsion of coach Markus Anfang as well as the happy 1-1 draw against Schalke 04, the relegated Bundesliga lost 2-1 at Holstein Kiel (0: 1).

Joshua Mees (45th minute) took the lead in Kiel, while Niclas Füllkrug equalized with a curious goal (57th).

Just when Werder seemed to determine the game more and more, Benedikt Pichler scored for Holstein (65th) to win.

Much had been said about Ole Werner in the run-up to the game: The coach, who led Kiel to the relegation place in the preseason but resigned after a weak start to the season, is said to be the favorite to succeed him initially as Werder coach.

By the time the game started, Bremen had not yet announced an agreement, Christian Brand represented the interim coach Danijel Zenković, who tested positive for Corona.

In a long balanced first half, Kiel's Phil Neumann had the first chance for Kiel with a volley shot (4th), Werder striker Marvin Ducksch failed on the other side due to keeper Thomas Dähne (11th).

Bremen kept up, but never really got the game under control and kept allowing deals.

Mees, who was substituted for the injured Fabian Reese early on, sank a particularly remarkable one shortly before the break with an artistic direct acceptance for the lead (45th).

Füllkrugs cheeky compensation and a goalkeeper swap

In the second half, the Bremen team drew attention to itself: First from the stands, in the guest block, Werder fans burned down pyrotechnics. Referee Harm Osmers had to interrupt the game briefly due to the smoke development. Then Werder also set an exclamation point in terms of sport: Under pressure, Kiel's goalkeeper Dähne let himself be carried away to a dribble outside his penalty area. Werder received a throw-in, took it quickly and was equalized by Füllkrug, whose chipball landed in the empty goal from 30 meters (57th).

Werder now seemed to be better in the game, but suddenly fell behind again: Alexander Mühling's shot bounced off Pichler's feet, the Austrian only had to dust off (65th).

Later, things went no further for Dähne: The Kiel goalkeeper had to make way for Ioannis Gelios injured (76th).

The numerous interruptions in the game helped Werder to get ten stoppage minutes, but unlike the previous week against Schalke, it was no longer enough to make a draw - Gelios spectacularly steered a flick from Ducksch over the goal.

Werder slipped into the second half of the table in tenth place with still 20 points, Holstein is three points and two places behind.

cev