Sportfreunde Lotte have pulled off a sensational upset, beating Werder Bremen to advance to the second round of the DFB Cup for the first time. The recently-promoted 3. Liga side beat the Bundesliga team 2-1 after a thrilling cup tie. It was only Lotte’s third appearance in the first round of the cup. For Bremen, meanwhile, it was the fourth time in six seasons that they have been eliminated in the first round by lower-league opposition.
Mattias Rahn (8’) and Andre Dej (54’) scored the goals for Lotte while Zlatko Junuzovic headed in Werder’s only goal of the game on the stroke of half time (45’). Fin Bartels saw red in the 81st minute for violent conduct.
Lotte take the lead early on
10,056 spectators packed into the Frimo Stadion to watch the game. Werder had to do without star striker Claudio Pizarro who is suffering from a pulled hamstring, as Skripnik had announced before the game: “We have enough quality to win against a third division team,” said the Ukrainian.
Lotte, who have only lost once in their opening five games in the 3. Liga, came out of the blocks very quickly. “After ten minutes, Werder will realise that they have to give 100%,” Ismail Atalan had said before the game. This warning became reality for the Werder players, when Rahn hooked the ball into the top corner after just eight minutes .
Dej wins it for Lotte
Werder reacted well to the setback as Fin Bartels and Sambou Yatabaré both hit the woodwork in quick succession. Lotte, however, impressed with their ball-winning ability and good organisation, while Bremen’s defence looked shaky and their attack impotent. Playing in the centre of an attacking three, Werder tried to get recently-returned Max Kruse on the ball as often as they could.
On the stroke of half time, left-back Janek Sternberg crossed the ball in for Junuzovic who scored with a header. The goal scorer collided with Lotte’s captain Gerrit Nauber while jumping for the goal and both players had to be treated for head injuries.
Bremen came out after the break playing much better than in the first half, but Dej turned from provider to matchwinner, firing Lotte to a famous victory. The guests pushed for a second equaliser, but ultimately were unable to show their class and prevail.
