Werder Bremen kept rivals Hamburger SV right in the thick of the Bundesliga relegation battle with a 2-1 win at home in the 106th Nordderby. The result means Werder are on 39 points and leaves HSV just one point above the relegation place.
However it was the away side that took the lead through a Michael Gregoritsch header after just six minutes following a well-placed cross by former Bremen man Aaron Hunt. It took until four minutes before half-time for Max Kruse to net Bremen’s equaliser, also heading in after a delightful move that culminated in a Fin Bartels volley finding the SVW striker.
Substitute Florian Kainz does the damage
Florian Kainz netted the winner for Nouri’s side with 15 minutes to go, just 120 seconds after coming on. The result means Bremen can start to dream of reaching a European spot, now just one point behind seventh place.
42,100 fans at the sold-out Weserstadion were witness to a gripping and tense match. Both teams’ good form from the past few weeks was clear to see and the counterattacking football on show was impressive, as was the link-up play.
Max Kruse with convincing display
Max Kruse could have put the Platzherren ahead after just 37 seconds but he was unable to beat Hamburg keeper Christian Mathenia with his effort from close range. Werder captain Zlatko Junuzovic, who picked up his fifth yellow card of the season during the game, could not have come closer with his sublime 22nd minute free-kick, which clattered off the post.
Yet Markus Gisdol’s men were not without chances themselves to double their lead and Werder keeper Felix Wiedwald had to put his body on the line to keep out Filip Kostic.
Wiedwald to the rescue
Neither side was able to keep up the tempo set in the first 45 minutes after the break. Nevertheless, both teams were clearly out to clinch victory. Wiedwald was called into action again when Matthias Ostrzolek found himself in a one-on-one but could not beat the Bremen keeper.
Gisdol brought on Pierre-Michel Lasogga in attempt to increase the pressure but the striker showed very little presence. Alexander Nouri also made a change and brought on Kainz. It would prove to be an inspired substitution by the Werder coach and the Austrian netted the winner with just 15 minutes left on the clock. Hamburg rarely threatened in the final minutes of the game as Werder held out to stretch their unbeaten run to nine Bundesliga games.
Werder Bremen kept rivals Hamburger SV right in the thick of the Bundesliga relegation battle with a 2-1 win at home in the 106th Nordderby. The result means Werder are on 39 points and leaves HSV just one point above the relegation place.
However it was the away side that took the lead through a Michael Gregoritsch header after just six minutes following a well-placed cross by former Bremen man Aaron Hunt. It took until four minutes before half-time for Max Kruse to net Bremen’s equaliser, also heading in after a delightful move that culminated in a Fin Bartels volley finding the SVW striker.
Substitute Florian Kainz does the damage
Florian Kainz netted the winner for Nouri’s side with 15 minutes to go, just 120 seconds after coming on. The result means Bremen can start to dream of reaching a European spot, now just one point behind seventh place.
42,100 fans at the sold-out Weserstadion were witness to a gripping and tense match. Both teams’ good form from the past few weeks was clear to see and the counterattacking football on show was impressive, as was the link-up play.
Max Kruse with convincing display
Max Kruse could have put the Platzherren ahead after just 37 seconds but he was unable to beat Hamburg keeper Christian Mathenia with his effort from close range. Werder captain Zlatko Junuzovic, who picked up his fifth yellow card of the season during the game, could not have come closer with his sublime 22nd minute free-kick, which clattered off the post.
Yet Markus Gisdol’s men were not without chances themselves to double their lead and Werder keeper Felix Wiedwald had to put his body on the line to keep out Filip Kostic.
Wiedwald to the rescue
Neither side was able to keep up the tempo set in the first 45 minutes after the break. Nevertheless, both teams were clearly out to clinch victory. Wiedwald was called into action again when Matthias Ostrzolek found himself in a one-on-one but could not beat the Bremen keeper.
Gisdol brought on Pierre-Michel Lasogga in attempt to increase the pressure but the striker showed very little presence. Alexander Nouri also made a change and brought on Kainz. It would prove to be an inspired substitution by the Werder coach and the Austrian netted the winner with just 15 minutes left on the clock. Hamburg rarely threatened in the final minutes of the game as Werder held out to stretch their unbeaten run to nine Bundesliga games.
