Werder Bremen played 1:1 (1:1) against SV Darmstadt on Saturday (February 24th, 2024). On the 23rd matchday of the Bundesliga, Bremen failed to finally catch up with the international starting positions. An own goal from Christoph Zimmermann (8th) put Werder in the lead early on, Julian Justvan (33rd) equalized for the bottom of the table.
The draw hardly helps Darmstadt in the relegation battle. With 13 points, SVD remains last and is four points behind the relegation spot, where 1. FC Köln still sits. Werder is looking towards Europe with 33 points. However, Eintracht Frankfurt could increase their lead over Bremen again with a win against Wolfsburg.
Werder were more dangerous at the start
As soon as 60 seconds had been played, Werder appeared dangerously in front of the goal for the first time: Romano Schmid was unable to take advantage of a cross. After nine minutes the bell rang in the visitors’ goal: a one-two between Schmid and Marvin Ducksch undermined the defense – Zimmermann slid into the following cross and maneuvered the ball into his own net. After 20 minutes, the focus was on referee Florian Badstübner: First he decided on a penalty, but according to the pictures he rightly took it back and instead showed Ducksch a yellow card for a swallow.
Ducksch couldn’t understand that. “An attempted swallow is of course punished with yellow”said the striker. However, he also has “I didn’t complain about a penalty. I took the ball in my hand because I wasn’t sure. Maybe the yellow card could have been ignored then.”
Bremen remained the more dangerous team: Schmid scored, but was offside. Nevertheless, Darmstadt defended with a lot of risk and left a lot of space open for Werder. The hosts didn’t use their space, but the guests did: Justvan suddenly had a free shot 18 meters in front of the penalty area and converted a deflected long-range shot to equalize, which had previously been flattering. The game then progressed at a moderate level until the half-time whistle.
Weak game in the second half
Darmstadt had the first chance after the break, Marvin Mehlem clearly missed the shot. The SVW then took control of the game again. Justin Njinmah was denied by Marcel Schuhen’s strong parry in the visitors’ goal (60′). A battle of attrition developed as Darmstadt defended the draw and hardly advanced dangerously. Werder dominated the game, but made too many mistakes in building up the game.
Suddenly the SVD was there: Sebastian Polter finished, Michael Zetterer in the Bremen goal only gave a high five and Tim Skarke scored (78th). But referee Badstübner rightly conceded Darmstadt’s lead again due to an offside position following a tip from the VAR. In return, Leonardo Bittencourt missed the second SVW goal. In the final phase the teams tried everything again. A major mistake by Zetterer almost gave Darmstadt victory, but luckily for Werder Skarke had his hand on the ball.
Darmstadt against FCA, Werder at TSG
Bremen will now travel to TSG Hoffenheim next Sunday (March 3rd, 2024). Kick-off is at 5:30 p.m. For Darmstadt, the home game against FC Augsburg is about important points in the relegation battle a day earlier. The ball will roll at the Böllenfalltor from 3:30 p.m.