Bremen edge Ingolstadt in relegation battle
SV Werder Bremen claimed a huge three points against FC Ingolstadt 04 in the battle to avoid relegation.
SV Werder Bremen 2-1 FC Ingolstadt 04
Goals: 1-0 Kruse (24’), 1-1 Suttner (58’), 2-1 Bartels (75’)
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With Claudio Pizarro back in the team, Bremen immediately looked to take the game to their opponents, two points and a place below them before kick-off. The opening quarter of the game was somewhat scrappy, but Bremen’s attacking quality told on 24 minutes when Max Kruse expertly converted Fin Bartel's cross for his first Werder goal.
Dario Lezcano's introduction after the break gave Ingolstadt more of a focus up front, and just before the hour-mark they leveled when Markus Suttner's free-kick nestled into the top corner.
However, the home side continued to look dangerous, especially on the counter-attack, and they won it when Bartels finished with aplomb after Izet Hajrovic and Pizarro were denied by Martin Hansen.
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Talking point
They may not be out of the woods yet, but an impressive array of attacking talent may be enough for Bremen to survive this season, with Serge Gnabry, Pizarro, Bartels and Kruse a foursome good enough to be the envy of many a Bundesliga rival.
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Match stats
- Kruse's goal made him the 12th Bremen player to score in the league this season. No other club has had as many goalscorers.Bartels found the net for the second match in a row.Pizarro was directly involved in a goal for the first time this season.
Line-ups
Bremen: Drobny - Bauer, Sane, Moisander, Garcia - Bartels, Junuzovic, Bargfrede, Gnabry (Veljkovic 86’) - Pizarro, Kruse (Hajrovic 74’, Gebre Selassie 88’)
Coach: Alexander Nouri
Ingolstadt: Hansen - Hadergonaj, Matip, Tisserand, Suttner - Roger, Cohen (Kittel 85’) - Hartmann, Groß (Hinterseer 82’), Jung (Lezcano 46’) - Leckie
Coach: Maik Walpurgis