Women’s Bundesliga: Köln Beat Bremen – Bremer Scores!

Thanks to Pauline Bremer, 1. FC Köln picked up a point against SV Werder Bremen in the women’s Bundesliga.

The game between the North Germans and the Rhinelanders ended 1-1 (0-1) on Sunday evening. Larissa Mühlhaus equalized Bremer’s opening goal (9th) after 54 minutes.

While Werder worked their way up to third place with the point, Cologne remain in eighth place with 15 points.

The Cologne team came to the Weser with only one defeat (1:5 in Munich) from their last five league games, but had to endure a painful 2:3 defeat in the DFB Cup at second division side SC Sand last week.

Werder, however, did not lose a game in November. Three league wins and the cup success at RB Leipzig (5:4 iE) made the team’s self-confidence grow.

Short-term absence of Hegering and Gerhardt

FC coach Britta Carlson had to temporarily do without the injured Martina Hegering and Anna Gerhardt. Sara Agrež, Adriana Achcińska and Weronika Zawistowska were new in the starting line-up, while Laura Feiersinger took over the captain’s armband from Hegering.

The Carlson team was out to make amends and looked for a way in front of the Bremen goal from the kick-off. Paulina Bremer from an acute angle (1st) and Anna-Lena Stolze, who missed the ball from close range (4th), could have taken the early lead.

Feiersinger misses, Bremer scores

But a little later it had already happened. After a free kick cross into the Werder penalty area, Sandra Jessen fell in a duel with Larissa Mühlhaus.

Feiersinger took the penalty, but her not bad shot into the bottom right corner was parried by goalkeeper Mariella El Sherif. But Bremer rushed forward and sank the rebound from close range to give the visitors the lead (9th).

Cologne is superior in all respects

Surprisingly, apart from many mistakes in defensive behavior and game structure, there was nothing to be seen from the hosts until then, and the Cologne team, who pressed early, continued to dominate the game confidently.

Cologne’s second goal was in the air, but after a counterattack, Martyna Wiankowska narrowly missed with a shot from 16 meters (18th) and Bremer shortly afterwards from the edge of the area.

Bremen takes command

But suddenly Werder got access to the game and opportunities. The biggest one came when Achcińska brought Mühlhaus down with a clutch in the Cologne penalty area. The fouled woman took the penalty herself, but Irina Fuchs fended off the ball and cleared it for a corner (28′).

However, as the snow increased, the hosts quickly recovered and had further opportunities. Medina Dešić failed with her low shot from ten meters to Fuchs (39th), shortly afterwards Lina Hausicke lofted the ball over the FC keeper, but also just over the crossbar (41st).

The now wavering Cologne team survived the pressure phase and almost scored the second goal when a Zawistowska cross from the right turned into a shot on goal. But the ball only hit the post (44th).

Mühlhaus in the second attempt

Seven minutes had been played in the second half when Mühlhaus was again denied by Fuchs, this time from seven meters after a pass from the left by Verena Wieder.

But just two minutes later she did better. Chiara D’Angelo threw the ball from the left to Mühlhaus on the outside edge of the penalty area. She skilfully left two Cologne players standing and shot the ball over Fuchs for a well-deserved equalizer (54′).

Leaf blower clears snow from lines

Bremen now had the upper hand on soapy surfaces. Werder was now the more toxic team and barely allowed the visiting team to develop. However, Cologne defended passionately so that there were initially no further chances.

After 73 minutes there was a short interruption due to snowfall. A leaf blower was used to remove snow from the relevant lines that were difficult to see.

Snowfall does not allow for an orderly game structure

But the winter conditions made it difficult to build up the game in an orderly manner. Another good opportunity to give Bremen the lead came from 14 meters, but Fuchs cleared the shot attempt (80th).

In the end it was a draw, which Cologne deserved thanks to their superior initial phase, a strong goalkeeper Fuchs and a passionate fight.

Away game again in the north

In the next game, Cologne will play away again. On Monday, December 8th (6 p.m.) the Rhinelanders will be visiting Hamburger SV

Our sources: