Werder Bremen secured a dramatic 1-0 victory over struggling Cologne, grabbing all three points thanks to a late winner from substitute Justin Njinmah. This marks their first win at the RheinEnergieSTADION since 2005, a sweet revenge after Cologne thumped them 7-1 last season.
The first half was a cagey affair, with only a heated exchange between teammates Kainz and Schmid and a decent save from Zetterer breaking the monotony. Despite Bremen’s recent form, they struggled initially, but finally threatened midway through the second half through Ducksch and Stage, both denied by the impressive Schwäbe.
The game seemed destined for a draw, but with 20 minutes remaining, Njinmah entered the fray and made an instant impact. He met Weiser’s cross with a clinical finish, putting Bremen ahead. Incredibly, Cologne almost equalized immediately, but a goal-line clearance from Friedl and a fantastic save from Zetterer preserved the lead.
Njinmah’s strike, coupled with Bremen’s defensive heroics, sealed their fifth consecutive away win in the Bundesliga and propelled them into the top seven. Cologne, meanwhile, remain in the relegation zone and could see the gap widen if Union Berlin win their upcoming match.
Man of the Match: Marco Friedl (Werder Bremen) for his crucial goal-line clearance and overall defensive solidity.
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