Last-gasp Ansgar Knauff strike rescues point for Eintracht Frankfurt in six-goal thriller at Werder Bremen
Werder Bremen and Eintracht Frankfurt shared the spoils in a pulsating encounter at the Weserstadion, with Ansgar Knauff's stoppage-time equaliser denying the hosts victory after they had come from behind to lead 3-2.
Werder Bremen 3-3 Eintracht Frankfurt
Goals: 0-1 Kalimuendo 1' (assist: Brown), 1-1 Njinmah 29' (assist: Sugawara), 1-2 Collins 56' (assist: Chaïbi), 2-2 Stage 78' (assist: Mbangula), 3-2 Milošević 80' (assist: Schmid), 3-3 Knauff 90'+4 (assist: Amaimouni-Echghouyab)
Both Bremen and Frankfurt came into the Friday night encounter desperate to turn around their recent poor form. The hosts were winless in their last six Bundesliga matches and hadn't scored in their previous three outings, while Frankfurt had managed just one victory in their last eight competitive fixtures.
Despite sitting five points clear of the relegation zone, Bremen's 17-point tally was significantly below their return at the same stage last season. Frankfurt, meanwhile, had conceded 36 goals this term – 12 more than at the equivalent point in the previous campaign. A worrying statistic that has underpinned their struggles this season.
Frankfurt strike early, Bremen battle back
The visitors made the perfect start, taking the lead with their first attack of the match. Ritsu Dōan found space on the right wing and delivered a dangerous cross to the back post, where Nathaniel Brown headed back across goal for Arnaud Kalimuendo to prod home from close range. It was a stunning finish from Kalimuendo, who provided a brilliant looping finish from an xG value of just 0.0677.
Bremen gradually worked their way into the contest, with Yukinari Sugawara finding plenty of space down the right flank. The equaliser arrived in the 29th minute when Sugawara played a delightful through ball for Justin Njinmah, who had previously missed a golden opportunity, to race clear and slide a finish past Kauã Santos.
Collins restores Frankfurt lead before Bremen comeback
Despite Bremen having the better of the play after the break, Frankfurt regained their advantage in the 56th minute. Farès Chaïbi lofted a hopeful ball into the area that Nnamdi Collins met with a determined finish, guiding the ball past Mio Backhaus to make it 1-2.
Bremen continued to push forward, and Njinmah missed another one-on-one opportunity that could have brought the hosts level. The equaliser eventually arrived in the 78th minute when substitute Samuel Mbangula, celebrating his 22nd birthday, delivered a perfect cross for Jens Stage to head powerfully into the net.
Late drama as points are shared
The Weserstadion erupted just two minutes later when Bremen completed their comeback. Romano Schmid did brilliantly under pressure to tee up substitute Jovan Milošević, who fired a powerful shot into the bottom corner to put the hosts 3-2 ahead.
However, deep into the four added minutes, Ayoube Amaimouni-Echghouyab reached the byline and cut the ball back for substitute Knauff to sweep home. Initially ruled out as officials thought the ball had gone out of play, VAR intervened to award the goal and ensure a share of the spoils in this thrilling encounter.
Man of the Match: Jens Stage
The Danish midfielder was the driving force behind Bremen's performance, combining defensive diligence with attacking threat throughout. Stage created several chances in the first half, including a delightful outside-of-the-boot pass that sent Njinmah through on goal. He continued to push his team forward after Frankfurt took the lead for a second time and was rewarded with a well-taken equaliser, powering home a header from Mbangula's cross. Stage covered 12.2 kilometres during the match – the most of any Bremen player – and his all-action display in the middle of the park earned him a deserved Man of the Match award with 381 fantasy points.
Bundesliga Match Facts
xGoals: Bremen 1.92 - Frankfurt 1.09
Fastest player: Ansgar Knauff (Frankfurt), 34.08 km/h
Lowest goal probability: 0-1 by Arnaud Kalimuendo (Frankfurt), 6.77 per cent
Most pressed player: Romano Schmid (Bremen), 28 times under pressure
Pass efficiency: Romano Schmid (Bremen), +4.23
Fantasy Heroes: Jens Stage (Werder Bremen, 381 Points), Justin Njinmah (Werder Bremen, 303 Points), Nnamdi Collins (Eintracht Frankfurt, 283 Points)
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