Bremen put dent in Frankfurt’s Champions League aspirations
Each groups returned from the worldwide break with essential wins. Whereas Werder Bremen scored three unanswered objectives in Kiel, Mario Götze helped Frankfurt to a hard-fought victory in opposition to Stuttgart.
Ole Werner stayed true to final week’s beginning XI. In the meantime, Dino Toppmöller has made two adjustments with Ellyes Skhiri and Nnamdi Collins recalled to motion. Within the opening 20 minutes, each groups got here near scoring.
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Frankfurt possessed extra of the ball, however they had been fortunate to not go behind when the energetic midfielder Jens Stage hit the crossbar with a deflected effort within the twenty fifth minute. Nonetheless, they did discover the web three minutes later.
Oliver Burke, who abruptly revived his profession in Bremen, timed his run earlier than offering a simple end to place the hosts forward. Searching for a fast response, Toppmöller launched Michy Batshuayi on the half-time break to associate Hugo Ekitike up entrance.
Nonetheless, it’s Bremen who practically doubled their lead at first of the second-half with Marvin Ducksch’s lob. Frankfurt, who’re again to 3rd within the desk after back-to-back wins, desperately lack creativity within the closing third.
The ultimate quarter-hour produced higher goal-scoring alternatives, however it was a far cry from the energetic alternate at first of the sport. Toppmöller determined to play the final ten minutes with three strikers as Igor Matanović joined Ekitike and Batshuayi in Frankfurt’s seek for a late equalizer.
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As an alternative, Bremen scored their second, because of one in all their greatest gamers of the season. Frankfurt didn’t clear their traces earlier than Romano Schmid scored a stunner to seal the factors for the hosts. After scoring two particular objectives final week, Bremen wrapped this up with one other magnificence.
Bremen are degree on factors with Augsburg after three wins in 4 video games. Frankfurt are nonetheless in third, however the consequence helped each Mainz and Leipzig to shut the hole within the race for a Champions League berth. The Eagles shall be in motion on Thursday for the away leg of a Europa League tie in opposition to Tottenham Hotspur.