Matchreport
1-0: Lewandowski secures a win against Werder Bremen
Borussia win again! BVB overcame stubborn resistance from Werder Bremen to win a decent game 1-0 courtesy of a Lewandowski strike. The statistics at the end showed that BVB had 31 shots at goal compared to the visitors six. BVB thus won their fifth consecutive competitive game of the season and remain top of the new Bundesliga table.
Your reporter is Dennis-Julian Gottschlich
80,645 gathered in a sold-out SIGNAL IDUNA PARK to enjoy a first half dominated by the home side but lacking that cutting edge. By half-time BVB had clocked up 19 attempts on goal but they had nothing to show for it. That was soon to change in the second half when Lewandowski slotted home on 55 minutes to give BVB a lead they comfortably maintained until the final whistle
The Scenario:
Borussia Dortmund came into this evening´s game having enjoyed a perfect start to the season and top of the table. BVB had lost just one of their last ten meetings with Werder Bremen (seven wins, two draws) when they lost 2-0 in 2011 having already secured the league title. The northerners came into the game having beaten the same two teams BVB have beaten (both 1-0 wins) and sat 5th in the table. However, they are already out of the German (DFB) Cup having succumbed to third division Saarbruecken 3-1 after extra time.
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Personnel Matters:
Jürgen Klopp had to make do without Gündogan (ligament twist) and Piszczek whilst Kehl returned to the starting eleven in place of Bender in one of the two holding midfield roles. In central defence Subotic came in for Sokratis whilst coach Dutt (Werder) was without the services of his captain Fritz (thigh), Bargfrede (torn meniscus) and Trybull.
Tactics:
BVB started in their familiar 4-2-3-1 formation with Reus and Kuba wide supported by Schmelzer and Großkreutz. Visiting coach Dutt opted to defend deep in what resembled a 4-1-4-1 formation with Makiadi (alternatively Junuzovic) playing in front of the back four. The Werder captain, Hunt, was given a free role often popping up behind sole forward Arnautovic, but just as often appearing in defensive positions.
The Game and Analysis:
The conditions- humid and hot- certainly seemed to affect the players from the start as both teams started sluggishly although BVB enjoyed the vast majority of possession. They were not, however, able to make too many inroads into a well-organised Werder defence who ensured that there was little room through the middle without themselves threatening in any way.
With space down the middle at a premium, BVB sought to attack down the flanks using Reus and Kuba. With 5 minutes gone, Mkhitaryan just failed to latch onto a cross from Schmelzer while Reus went close from distance in the 17th and 32nd minutes respectively.
The Black ´n´ Yellows just could not provide the final touch as evidenced in the 36th minute when Kuba, played into the inside right channel by Sahin and unchallenged saw his fierce drive thunder against the bar rather than into the roof of the net. Just a minute later, as BVB grew more dangerous as the half wore on, Lewandowski saw a clever effort skip past Mielitz but also, agonisingly, past the post.
The closing minutes of the half saw BVB create a myriad of chances as their pressure seemed to finally wear down Werder. Reus was twice denied by Mielitz, Lewandowski too, in a hectic five minute spell. Then in the last minute of the first half a Subotic header was cleared from the line by Hunt. At the other end, almost immediately after, Arnautovic saw his effort elude Weidenfeller but also the far post.
Just ten minutes after the break the near continuous Black ´n´ Yellow barrage was finally rewarded with a goal as Großkreutz fed Reus on the right edge of the box allowing him to slide the ball across the six-yard box and into the path of Lewandowski. 1-0. At last! Simple!!
Robin Dutt responded by sending on di Santo and Kroos for Arnautovic and Ekici but although Werder now enjoyed slightly more of the ball, the BVB maintained control and continued to attack with purpose. On 67 minutes Sahin´s acrobatic effort just sailed over and then substitute Aubameyang latched onto a through ball with a wonderful first touch before being denied by Mielitz´ outstretched leg.
Werder tried until the end but as they threw men forward BVB were offered chances to add to their lead; Hunt (again!) cleared from his own line, this time from Lewandowski in the 82nd minute; Aubameyang, two minutes later, out-ran a Reus cross when it would almost have been easier to score whilst, finally, at the other end, Weidenfeller had to make a fine save from di Santo to ensure Werder did not leave with an ill-deserved point.
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The Scenario:
BVB travel to take on Eintracht Frankfurt next Sunday (kick off 1730 CET) but all eyes will be on the Champions League draw on Thursday.