Dramatic finale as BVB are held to 2-2 draw in Bremen

Boris Rupert from Bremen

The 42,100 spectators at the Weser-Stadion saw BVB dominate until deep into the second period, having taken an early lead through Pulisic in the sixth minute and added a second when Alcácer converted a free-kick four minutes before half-time. The Spaniard then had a goal disallowed for offside in the 58th minute and a header brilliantly saved by Werder shot-stopper Pavlenka minutes later, before Möhwald (70) and Pizarro (75) struck to salvage a point for the hosts.

The scenario:  
Borussia Dortmund had already experienced bitter disappointment against Bremen in the DFB Cup this term, but they went into this one having won 12 of their last 15 Bundesliga meetings with Werder. Historically, Dortmund had only beaten Frankfurt (44 times) more often than Bremen (43), but equally they had only suffered more defeats to Bayern (46) than Bremen (41). Both teams needed to win! Bremen needed the points to close the gap to the European places, while the Black & Yellows needed the victory to keep pace with league leaders Bayern, who had moved further ahead with a 3-1 win against Hannover earlier in the day.

Personnel matters: 
As well as the injured Hakimi and Zagadou, BVB were without the suspended Reus and Wolf. Coach Lucien Favre made two changes to the team that faced Schalke, with Pulisic and Alcácer the new faces drafted into the team.

Tactics:   
Akanji shifted across from the centre to right-back, while Diallo partnered Weigl at the heart of defence and Guerreiro dropped back from left wing to left-back. Dortmund lined up in a 4-2-3-1 system that functioned smoothly despite the six positional changes. Werder switched between a 4-4-2 (with Kruse behind Osako and Rashica) and a 4-3-3.

The match & analysis:
Alcácer had the first opportunity after only 30 seconds and Akanji won the first corner after just three minutes as Borussia seized the initiative from the beginning and signalled their intention not to lose ground on Bayern at the summit. The statistics after 25 minutes reflected that dominance: BVB had more shots (5-2), greater possession (64 percent) and a higher tackle win rate (59 percent). Even more importantly though, the scoreboard read "1-0" to the hosts thanks to Pulisic's goal. The American received the ball from Delaney on the halfway line and slalomed past half of the Bremen team before keeping his cool in front of goal and slotting home the opener (6).

The USA international's third goal of the season gave the visitors even more momentum. Pavlenka's fingertips denied Götze a sixth goal of 2019 in the 14th minute, the Bremen shot-stopper brilliantly saving a shot on the turn from the Dortmund man, who started the match in midfield. At the other end, Rashica's long-range effort that sailed well over the crossbar on the 35-minute mark was the first time Bremen got near the Dortmund goal.

Dortmund had the match firmly under control, with Pulisic causing havoc among the opposition defence. The winger was fouled by Friedl 23 metres from goal in the 40th minute and Alcácer stepped up to take the set-piece, converting his third free-kick of the season! Diallo came close to adding a third before half-time but his shot was diverted off course by the leg of a Bremen player.

Borussia were happy to sit back and let Werder have the ball after the break, though they still posed a threat. Guerreiro troubled Pavlenka with a shot from 18 metres in the 49th minute, while a Pulisic header from a Götze cross went close five minutes later and Delaney's volley was denied by a brilliant save 60 seconds later.

The visitors put the ball in the back of the net for the third time on the hour-mark. Götze picked out Guerreiro down the left flank and the Portugal international crossed to Alcácer, who slotted home. But the Spaniard was deemed to have been narrowly offside and it was disallowed. He could count himself unlucky seven minutes later, too, when Pavlenka made a brilliant save to keep out his header from Sancho's free-kick.

Bremen score twice in five minutes

Werder pulled a goal back against the run of play on the 70-minute mark when Rashica picked out Möhwald, whose shot from 18 metres went through the legs of Witsel and then goalkeeper Bürki before nestling in the back of the net. Five minutes later, Augustinsson got the better of Akanji down the left and cut the ball back to Pizarro, whose first-time effort from 11 metres drew the hosts level. That was followed by a close call moments later as Bremen claimed a penalty for a handball by Götze, but the referee consulted VAR and opted against awarding the spot-kick.

Pulisic could have made it 3-2 in the closing stages but fired narrowly wide (88), while Rashica (87) and Pizarro (90+3) missed opportunities to claim a late winner for Bremen. As a result, what was a highly entertaining game ultimately ended 2-2 – a result that will feel like a defeat for both teams.

All the goals and highlights at a click

Outlook:  
Borussia Dortmund are next in action when they face Fortuna Düsseldorf in their final home game of the season on Saturday (15:30 CET).

Teams & goals