BVB under pressure – Bayern trembles to victory in Bremen
FC Bayern has to present in the long-distance duel with Borussia Dortmund in Bremen. Werder Bremen held out for a long time in their own stadium and finally pushed for a draw. But Bayern bring success home.
TTable lead defended, Bundesliga record set: Despite another unconvincing performance, FC Bayern Munich cleared their favorite opponents Werder Bremen and increased the pressure on Borussia Dortmund in the title race. After the hard-fought 2-1 (0-0) in the Weser Stadium, which was sold out with 42,100 spectators, Bayern are now four points ahead of Dortmund, who will host VfL Wolfsburg on Sunday evening (5:30 p.m. / DAZN).
Bayern remained unbeaten in their 27th game in a row against Bremen and set a new record. Werder’s last home win against Bayern Munich dates back to October 2006. However, Bayern had to work hard for their next success on the Weser. The otherwise disappointing national player Serge Gnabry gave the visitors the lead in the 62nd minute, which substitute Leroy Sané (72nd) increased. Niklas Schmidt (87′), who had just come on as a substitute, gave the Werder fans hope in the final minutes.
“Very important. We knew if we won it would be a nicer weekend. The joy in the dressing room was huge. We cheered,” said Gnabry: “We did our job and gave ourselves a little cushion.”
Gnabry makes it 1-0
Quelle: Getty Images/Oliver Hardt
The title defense, which has long been a must after losing the DFB Cup and the Champions League, has come a step closer for the star ensemble from the Isar. Three more victories, then Bayern and Julian Nagelsmann’s successor Thomas Tuchel will have the championship trophy for sure. Bayern still don’t exude luster.
In Bremen, the guests were overwhelmingly superior from the start and won six corners in the first 25 minutes. However, the series champion could not capitalize on his overweight. Munich acted much too sluggishly and sluggishly in the game going forward, so that Bremen had little trouble defending closely staggered. Above all, Gnabry and star newcomer Sadio Mané disappointed again. Bayern coach Tuchel despaired again and again on the sidelines.
Tuchel explains Müller’s bank location
Before the game, Tuchel spoke of a “razor-thin” decision against Thomas Müller in the starting XI. “There will always be that at Bayern Munich,” said Tuchel shortly before kick-off on Sky. “I have decisions to make, I’m a big fan of Thomas.” He “already knows what I have in him,” added Tuchel. “Everything is good.”
Müller and national player Leroy Sané initially followed the uninspired approach of the league leaders from the bench. Apart from a great header chance from Benjamin Pavard, which Werder goalkeeper Jiri Pavlenka parried in the 21st minute, Bayern didn’t achieve much.
As the season progressed, Bremen became bolder. Ten minutes before the break, Christian Groß suddenly appeared in the Munich penalty area after a fine solo, but shot over the Bayern goal. Again and again, the fast Romano Schmid, who was somewhat surprisingly preferred to Maximilian Philipp, and Marvin Ducksch put pinpricks – Tuchel’s mood on the sidelines did not improve.
That changed after the change of sides. Bayern initially struggled and continued to be too slow in building up the game. But then Gnabry suddenly found himself completely free in the Bremen penalty area and broke the spell. Despite all their efforts, Werder lacked the means to turn things around. Tuchel brought on Müller and Sané in the 64th minute. The latter initially calmed things down after a fine pass from Noussair Mazraoui, before Schmidt again created tension with a strong long-range shot.
