VfB Stuttgart stumbled in the race for runner-up in the Bundesliga. The Swabians were pulled the plug by the self-sacrificing Werder Bremen.
On Sunday (April 21, 2024) Werder won 2:1 (1:0). Striker Marvin Ducksch (28th minute/foul penalty, 49th) scored his first brace of the season. Stuttgart’s Deniz Undav (71′) made things even more exciting with the goal, but there were no points for VfB.
To the live ticker: Bremen – Stuttgart arrow right 30th matchday arrow right
With the win, Bremen moves up to eleventh place (34 points). Stuttgart (third place) remains on 63 points and is trailing Bayern Munich (66) in the race for runner-up, but still has a very good chance of qualifying for the Champions League.
Janna Betten, sports show, April 21, 2024 6:08 p.m
Energetic Bremen are buying the edge of VfB
It was an entertaining start at the Weserstadion. VfB had their first big chance: Undav failed after a pass from Hiroki Ito to Bremen goalkeeper Michael Zetterer (5th), who prevented a false start for the home team.
Janna Betten, sports show, April 21, 2024 6:19 p.m
In this scene, the high Werder defensive line was far too easily outplayed, but after that things went better in Bremen’s pressing. Neither presented themselves in impressive running form and also set their own accents on the offensive.
The courageous approach was rewarded. Birthday boy Mitchell Weiser (30 years old) played an outstanding through ball to Felix Agu, who was checked to the ground by Jamie Leweling in the penalty area – referee Robert Schröder pointed to the spot. Ducksch safely converted the penalty.
Parade by Bremen’s Zetterer leads to Ducksch’s goal
Before the break, VfB Stuttgart, who now had almost two-thirds of the ball possession, were still pushing for an equalizer. But the Swabians only had four shots on goal in the first half (Bremen five). Shortly before the half-time whistle, someone almost equalized: Undav headed the ball onto the crossbar (45′).
Janna Betten, sports show, April 21, 2024 6:04 p.m
And even after the restart, Leweling missed a good chance to score, which was parried by Bremen goalkeeper Zetterer, who was in brilliant form that day – and in return there was a counterattack. Weiser and Romano Schmid were not really put under pressure on the right lane, Schmid then played a perfect ball to Ducksch – who scored with a direct pass.
Stuttgart impressed by well-stocked Bremen residents
So Bremen was immediately back to operating temperature and pulled the plug on Stuttgart a little with the 2-0 win. The Green-Whites remained focused in defense and were always one step ahead of the increasingly static VfB.
There was little evidence of Stuttgart’s great self-confidence of the past weeks and months in this phase. The Champions League contender had a lot of ball possession, but initially hardly any ideas.
Janna Betten, sports show, April 21, 2024 6:05 p.m
Bremen is running out of steam: Führich spins, Undav pokes
That changed in the final phase. Bremen paid tribute to the high tempo, Stuttgart pressed. Chris Führich, who replaced Enzo Millot in the second half, beat two Bremen players on the wing and crossed. In the chaos that followed, Undav poked the ball over the line. The pressure continued to increase, Bremen was on the ropes and limited itself to defensive work.
Janna Betten, sports show, April 21, 2024 6:17 p.m
Things got tricky again for Bremen shortly before the end: Serhou Guirassy was knocked down by Anthony Jung in the penalty area and would have liked to get a penalty (87th). But the referee team had recognized that Guirassy was in an offside position. After a long VAR check, the decision stood – and Bremen also survived nine minutes of injury time.
Bremen visits the champions in Augsburg and Stuttgart
Werder Bremen will be visiting FC Augsburg on matchday 31 (Saturday, 3:30 p.m.). For VfB Stuttgart, the top game is against the new German champions Bayer 04 Leverkusen (Saturday, 6.30 p.m.).