Zlatko Junuzovic has Werder Bremen sparkling as RB Leipzig lose their fizz
Werder Bremen made it four wins from their last five games with a 3-0 win over RB Leipzig at the Weser Stadium keeping their survival hopes alive and kicking.
Bremen 3-0 Leipzig
Goals: 1-0 Junuzovic (34'), 2-0 Grillitsch (59'), 3-0 Kainz (90')
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The guests had the first two chances with Timo Werner and Emil Forsberg both lacking the desired composure with only Felix Wiedwald to beat before Bremen took the lead with their first shot of the game. Junuzovic struck the sweetest of volleys with the outside of his right boot, curling the ball unstoppably into the top left-hand corner. Marcel Sabitzer's shot against the post suggested Leipzig were not going down without a fight, however.
They took the game to their hosts in the second half with Werner causing problems again before Davie Selke was sent on as an additional striker. Just moments later, though, their ambitious plans were scuppered as Bremen doubled their lead. Junuzovic turned provider with a clever free-kick drill teeing up Florian Grillitsch to fire into the top left-hand corner. Kainz then completed an Austrian treble with a last-minute third as Bremen struck on the break.
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Man of the match
It is already widely acknowledged that Junuzovic has one of the most potent shots in the Bundesliga, but his opener ranks high among the list of the sweetest strikes this season. He then showed an equally lethal touch with a simple yet effective pass to tee up Bremen's second.
Talking point
Dizzy heights: Leipzig appear to be suffering a bit of vertigo with just one point from their past three Bundesliga fixtures seeing their advantage over third-placed Borussia Dortmund cut to three points and their grasp on UEFA Champions League qualification next season loosening, with Hoffenheim also closing to within four points.
Match stats
- Max Kruse missed his first game for Bremen since he made his debut on Matchday 11. With him, Bremen had lost just five in 14; without him seven defeats from ten.Junuzovic's goal was only his second of the season, the other coming on 15 October in 2-1 win over Leverkusen. Seven of his 17 Bundesliga goals have come from outside the penalty area.All three of Grillitsch's Bundesliga goals have come at the Weser Stadium.For the fifth game in a row, Bremen scored from a free-kick – their seventh of the season: a league high.
Line-ups
Bremen: Wiedwald - Veljkovic, Sane, Moisander – Delaney (83' Eggestein) - Gebre Selassie, Grillitsch (88' Kainz), Junuzovic (c), Bauer - Bartels, Pizarro (73' Johansson)
Coach: Alexander Nouri
Leipzig: Gulacsi - Upamecano, Orban (c), Compper (56' Selke), Halstenberg – Schmitz (81' Burke), Ilsanker, Demme - Sabitzer, Werner, Forsberg
Coach: Ralph Hasenhüttl
Watch: Bremen goalscorer Zlatko Junozovic discusses his side's 'deserved victory' over Leipzig: