Holding midfielder Alejandro Galvez crowned a superb home debut with a 59th-minute equaliser for Werder Bremen
Holding midfielder Alejandro Galvez crowned a superb home debut with a 59th-minute equaliser for Werder Bremen

Bremen and Hoffenheim take a point apiece

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Bremen - An entertaining game between Werder Bremen and Hoffenheim ended 1-1 at the Weser-Stadion.

Sublime goals at both ends

Bremen coach Robin Dutt opted to bring in striker Davie Selke and drop Luca Caldirola to the bench, and the youngster linked well with Franco di Santo as Bremen made a positive enough start. The threat of Hoffenheim's Roberto Firmino was always lingering, however. Bremen failed to pick up on the repeated warnings and in the 19th minute, Firmino floated in behind the defence to meet Sebastian Rudy’s cross-filed pass.

Without allowing the ball to touch the ground, the Brazilian rounded Raphael Wolf in the Bremen goal to open the scoring. The strike enabled Hoffenheim to take control, dominating possession and firing in effort after effort through Kevin Volland and Firmino, although they couldn't capitalise before the break.

They were made to pay for their profligacy after 15 minutes of the second period. Defensive midfielder Alejandro Galvez took the ball on his chest with his back to goal before rifling a shot into the bottom right-hand corner, sending the home fans into raptures. Bremen pressed further looking for a winner in the last quarter of an hour but Di Santo, Zlatko Junuzovic and substitute all snatched at chances, as the northerners had to settle for a 1-1 draw.

Line-ups and statistics

Check out Roberto Firmino's incredible no-look goal on the Bundesliga's official YouTube channel: