Werder Bremen 2-0 Hoffenheim: Füllkrug opener lifts Werder provisionally third

Füllkrug sets Werder on course for a 2-0 win

Werder Bremen beat 1899 Hoffenheim 2-0 at Weser-Stadion, with Niclas Füllkrug’s 57th-minute opener providing the decisive breakthrough. The result moved Werder to 15 points from 8 games and provisionally #3 in the Bundesliga.

Füllkrug put Werder Bremen 1-0 ahead in the 57th minute, with Karl Hein assisting. Eren Dinkci then made it 2-0 in the 82nd minute after being introduced in the 16th minute for Mitchell Weiser, with Marco Grüll supplying the assist. Hoffenheim could not respond.

Hoffenheim had more of the ball

The scoreline favoured Werder, although Hoffenheim held 59% possession and completed 431 accurate passes compared with Werder’s 265. The visitors also had 520 total passes to Werder’s 364. However, Werder recorded 17 shots to Hoffenheim’s 16, including 14 shots inside the box, while Hoffenheim had 9. Werder’s 1.23 expected goals narrowly exceeded Hoffenheim’s 1.15.

Füllkrug was the standout performer, earning an 8.2 rating across 91 minutes. He registered 2 shots on target and 3 key passes. Werder received three yellow cards, including cautions for Marco Friedl, Arthur Augusto de Matos Soares and Youri Regeer, while Hoffenheim received none.

Different directions in the table

Werder went into the game with 12 points from 7 games, while Hoffenheim had 9. Werder now lead Hoffenheim by 6 points. Hoffenheim remain on 9 points after 8 games, with their record moving to 3W 0D 5L and their goal difference to -2. Their pre-match form was Loss, Loss, Win, Loss, Loss, Win, Win; Werder’s was Loss, Win, Draw, Win, Draw, Draw, Win.