After ten games, Werder Bremen’s impressive run under new coach Ole Werner has come to an end. At 1. FC Heidenheim, the club has to accept a defeat and the loss of the table lead.
Werder Bremen suffered their first defeat under coach Ole Werner. After nine wins and one draw in ten games, the first division relegated team lost 2-1 (0-1) to 1. FC Heidenheim on Saturday evening.
As a result, Werder dropped from first to third place in the table, but are level on points with SV Darmstadt 98 and FC St. Pauli (all 48 points). Heidenheim reported back in the promotion race and is six points behind Bremen in fifth place.
Heidenheim’s players cheer after Christian Kühlwetter’s goal
Source: dpa
In front of 11,750 spectators, Christian Kühlwetter gave the hosts the lead in the 38th minute with a wonderful long-range shot. After the change of sides, Stefan Schimmer used a blunder by Bremen’s defender Anthony Jung to score the second goal (63′).
Ducksch’s goal is not enough
The goal from Marvin Ducksch (89th) came too late for the guests. Heidenheim’s Marnon Busch saw the red card in the 87th minute for gross foul play. It was the first Bremen defeat since November 27, 2021 (1: 2 in Kiel).
“We shouldn’t have lost the game today,” said Bremen’s veteran Leonardo Bittencourt on “Sky”. “But a lot came together today, and then you can lose a game like that,” said the offensive player. “Let’s continue.” Next Saturday there will be a top game against Darmstadt.
Werder had to do without their captain Ömer Toprak, who had to sit out with a calf injury. In the middle of the first half, Marco Friedl was also out due to a rib injury. The Bremen defense therefore looked much more shaky, which Heidenheim used to earn a deserved victory.
Nevertheless, Bremen had some good chances, especially in the first round. Bittencourt hit the post in the 17th minute. “Last time things went in for us, not today. That’s the way it is,” said Bittencourt.