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Werder Bremen’s luck against Borrusia Dortmund runs out

By Marjani Taylor

BREMEN, GERMANY - FEBRUARY 22: (BILD ZEITUNG OUT) Erling Haaland of Borussia Dortmund and Niklas Moisander of SV Werder Bremen battle for the ball during the Bundesliga match between SV Werder Bremen and Borussia Dortmund at Wohninvest Weserstadion on February 22, 2020 in Bremen, Germany. (Photo by Max Maiwald/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
BREMEN, GERMANY - FEBRUARY 22: (BILD ZEITUNG OUT) Erling Haaland of Borussia Dortmund and Niklas Moisander of SV Werder Bremen battle for the ball during the Bundesliga match between SV Werder Bremen and Borussia Dortmund at Wohninvest Weserstadion on February 22, 2020 in Bremen, Germany. (Photo by Max Maiwald/DeFodi Images via Getty Images) /
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Bremen falls to Dortmund in the Bundesliga, unable to duplicate their German Cup win.

Werder Bremen surprised everyone with a 3-2 victory over Borrusia Dortmund in the 3rd round of the DFB Pokal (German Cup). Granted, German Cup games carry a different energy to them than most league games.

It’s a chance for every team regardless of league standings to start with a clean slate and have a shot at a trophy. But as Bremen powers on in the Cup, they continue to flail in the Bundesliga, risking relegation at the bottom of the table.

As they faced off on Saturday against Dortmund for the second time this month, their haphazard defending and lack of an offensive threat were glaringly obvious against a strong Dortmund team that came to play. Frankly, Bremen was fortunate to hold Dortmund at bay for so long, keeping a clean sheet until the 52nd minute. Bremen found their defense split multiple times, and at one point almost allowed Erling Haaland an easy break down the middle before he was called offside.

Dan-Axel Zagadou broke the ice for the first goal. He skillfully volleyed the ball off a corner kick despite there being a pack of bodies in the box. Bremen’s defense looked confused as the ball found itself in the back of the net. Despite having numbers in the box, their poor positioning made Zagadou’s job significantly easier.

In the 66th minute, the rising 19-year-old superstar Erling Haaland calmly side footed in the second goal. No surprise there from Haaland as he continues to impress in every game he plays in.

Werder Bremen at one time in the season put their faith in their own young rising star, the 20-year-old American forward Josh Sargent. But as the season continues to play out, Sargent has been plagued with injuries and less than stellar performances on the field, dashing Bremen’s hopes of him bringing them out of their slump.

Next. Borussia Dortmund: A force to be reckoned with. dark

As Haaland played 90 minutes on Saturday and celebrated with his teammates, Sargent subbed in late in the game in the 82nd minute, again entering a game that was already lost.  Dortmund is in 2nd place in the Bundesliga standings so there’s no shame in losing to a powerhouse team, but Saturday’s loss paired with Bremen’s collection of losses over the course of the season leaves little hope that they’re headed anywhere but down.

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