TSG 1899 Hoffenheim and Werder Bremen play a lively match at the start of Matchday 9 in the Bundesliga. In the end, Niclas Füllkrug is again the matchwinner.

Thanks to top scorer Niclas Füllkrug, promoted Werder Bremen remain on course for success and have temporarily moved up to a Champions League place. The Hanseatic side won 2-1 (1-1) at TSG 1899 Hoffenheim to kick off the 9th matchday of the Bundesliga and remain unbeaten away from home. Füllkrug scored the winning goal shortly before the end with his eighth goal of the season from a penalty kick (87th).

National coach Hansi Flick, who was among the 25,410 spectators, witnessed the current strong form of the duo Füllkrug and Marvin Ducksch when Werder took a 1-0 lead. After a fine one-two between the two German strikers, Ducksch scored his second goal of the season (18th minute). But Munas Dabbur (32nd) managed to equalise for TSG in the meantime.

Bremen fielded the same starting eleven that had ignited spectacular offensive fireworks in the 5:1 win against Borussia Mönchengladbach last weekend. Hoffenheim coach André Breitenreiter had also warned against Füllkrug and Ducksch before kick-off on DAZN: “We have to keep them busy all the time and not give them any space. We have come up with a good plan.”

Toughness was apparently also part of that plan. Not even a minute had been played when Füllkrug was put through the wringer by Stanley Nsoki. The most conspicuous player in the opening phase, however, was the advanced full-back Robert Skov, who missed two great chances for Hoffenheim early on (2nd and 3rd). The substitution of Skov for Pavel Kaderabek paid off, the Dane was a constant source of trouble.

But then the hosts were caught cold: In a counter-attack, the provider of the assist, Füllkrug, and the scorer, Ducksch, showed how cleverly they move and that they have a fine sense for each other’s running paths. TSG was not shocked by the deficit – on the contrary. They continued to play courageously forward and were rewarded by Dabbur’s equaliser. Only two minutes later, the post prevented the striking Christoph Baumgartner from taking the lead. Bremen also remained dangerous, among others Füllkrug just missed from about 18 metres (37.).

After the change of ends, the momentum was lost somewhat. The game was now characterised by intense duels between the penalty areas, with Hoffenheim coming closest to asserting themselves. But Baumgartner (55.), Dabbur (62.) and Skov (65.) could not put the ball into the goal. Later, Füllkrug did better from the spot. The penalty was given by referee Benjamin Cortus only after video evidence. Nsoki had fouled Mitchell Weiser in the penalty area.