The fight for the German championship remains a tough struggle in the Bundesliga. On the 32nd matchday, Bayern Munich scored a slim 2-1 (0-0) win at Werder Bremen on Saturday (May 6th, 2023).
As in the previous week, Serge Gnabry (62nd) opened the door in the 2-0 win against Hertha BSC. Substitute Leroy Sané (73rd) made the preliminary decision. Niklas Schmidt’s (86th) crack in the corner to make it 1-2 came too late. The record champions (65 points) thus increased their lead over pursuers Borussia Dortmund (61) to four points, at least for the time being. BVB welcomes VfL Wolfsburg on Sunday (5:30 p.m.) (with audio stream in the sportschau.de live center).
Although Bremen have only won one game in their last nine games, they still have a seven-point cushion over the relegation zone in twelfth place with 35 points three games to go.
Bremen goalkeeper Pavlenka saved against Pavard
The guests from Munich, like most recently without Thomas Müller in the starting XI, started the game with total dominance. The championship leader attacked early and quickly played forward. In the first 20 minutes, Bremen could hardly get out of their own half and had to fight, straddle and head a lot in and around the penalty area. In this phase, Bayern had well over 60 percent possession of the ball, but in the end they only had one really good chance.
Benjamin Pavard headed in the penalty area after a free kick, but Werder goalkeeper Jiri Pavlenka made a strong save (22′). Bremen only kicked free after almost half an hour and then had good chances with more courage. Mitchell Weiser narrowly missed a cross from Bittencourt in the penalty area (34′). A little later, Pascal Groß started a solo from midfield, passed three Munich players and then shot just over the Bayern goal from 14 meters (35′).
This phase gave Bremen the necessary self-confidence to keep the game completely open until the half-time whistle. At half-time it was 5:3 after shots on goal and 8:0 after corners for Bayern Munich – but the scoreboard showed a 0:0 for a reason.
Bremen brave, but Serge Gnabry scores for Munich
The first scene in round two belonged to the hosts. After an advance down his right flank, Weiser put the ball back towards the penalty spot. Bayern’s defense was able to block Marvin Dukcksch’s shot attempt (48′). An open game developed. Munich was missing the last precision forward. Sadio Mané missed the lead from a short distance after a pass from Gnabry (56th).
After all, as in the previous week, it was Gnabry who got Munich on track. After a cross from the outside, Jamal Musiala jumped the ball off his foot in the penalty area – but right to Gnabry, who shot in from four meters to make it 1-0. The Munich game then became safer and more purposeful. After a quick move through midfield, Sané increased the lead to 2-0 with a slanted shot from the right into the far corner after a fine pass from Noussair Mazraoui.
Schmidt’s dream goal from 22 meters into the right angle to make it 1: 2 made for an exciting final phase. But it didn’t change anything about Munich’s success. FC Bayern has not lost in 27 duels with Bremen since 2008. There has never been a series like this between two teams in the history of the Bundesliga.
Bayern against Schalke, Bremen in Leipzig
On the coming match day, the next strong opponent is waiting for FC Bayern. Schalke 04, who last sent a sign of life in the relegation battle with the 3-2 win at 1. FSV Mainz 05, will be visiting the Munich Arena on Matchday 32 (Saturday, May 13, 2023 at 3:30 p.m.). Bremen could then give another top team a headache at RB Leipzig on Sunday (5:30 p.m.).