Bremen and Leipzig draw in the Bundesliga
Bremen and Leipzig drew 0-0 on Saturday – which helped neither team. Werder was clearly the better team and was repeatedly thwarted by the strong Gulacsi. Ultimately, the point ended SVW’s European dreams. RB Leipzig, meanwhile, no longer has a chance of finishing fourth in the Champions League.
Werder coach Ole Werner sent out the same eleven that had last played 2-2 against Union Berlin .
Leipzig coach Zsolt Löw made four substitutions after the 3-3 draw with FC Bayern . Gulacsi, fit again, started for Vandervoordt (bench). Bitshiabu, Vermeeren, and Baumgartner also started for Raum, Kampl (both serving yellow card suspensions), and Haidara (medial ligament injury).
Two good chances by Ducksch and Schmid
Werder entered the match with a lot of energy and quickly had a good chance, but Ducksch was denied by Gulacsi from six meters (4′). Leipzig offered very little attacking potential, and RB struggled in the first half, failing to create a clear-cut chance. SVW remained more dangerous, with Schmid firing wide to the left (19′) and Pieper heading over (22′).
The visitors certainly had their chances, as there was space here and there in the center, but Leipzig didn’t exploit it well offensively. And defensively, the visitors offered some opportunities at times, such as in the 38th minute, when Schmid was through on goal and was just stopped by Gulacsi. Shortly before halftime, there was a flurry of excitement in the RB Leipzig penalty area. Ducksch was fouled by Bitshiabu’s shot. Referee Dankert didn’t rule it out for a penalty, and VAR didn’t intervene either (45’+2). The visitors certainly wouldn’t have had any reason to complain if a penalty had been awarded.
Werder leaves too much behind
Once again, Bremen came out of the locker room very well – and immediately created great chances: Agu shot well over from a promising position (46th minute), and Burke was denied from close range by the strong Gulacsi (48th minute). SVW’s lead was in the air, but Leipzig survived the northern Germans’ initial period of pressure. The home side remained unchallenged, however, with Ducksch’s header being denied by Gulacsi (66th minute), and the striker’s fierce cross was also saved by the keeper (67th minute).
At the other end, it took until the 67th minute for Zetterer to intervene for the first time; the keeper was on the spot against Baumgartner. RB seemed to have woken up, as Xavi curled the ball onto the crossbar shortly afterwards (68th minute) and then tested Zetterer (70th minute). It was now a completely open game, with both teams needing the win. Friedl nailed the ball onto the crossbar; the flag went up, but it was a close call; a potential goal would have obviously been blocked (75th minute).
No Europe for Werder, no CL for RB
With both teams desperately needing the win, the final stages were fiercely contested. Neither team created a clear chance. The score remained 0-0, leaving both teams disappointed. Werder Bremen, three points and 18 goals behind sixth place, no longer have a chance of qualifying for Europe. Leipzig, meanwhile, has no chance of finishing fourth and will not be playing in the Champions League next season. They are currently only seventh and are in danger of missing out on the European spots as well.
And what’s next? On the final matchday, all games will take place simultaneously on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. Werder Bremen will face Heidenheim , while Leipzig hosts VfB Stuttgart .
