Bremen sink Wolfsburg in thriller

The Volkswagen Arena set the stage for a thrilling encounter as VfL Wolfsburg hosted SV Werder Bremen in a Bundesliga clash that promised excitement from the outset. Both teams entered the match with mixed form, with Wolfsburg struggling at home and Bremen showcasing impressive away performances. The visitors were dealt an early blow as Anthony Jung was forced off due to injury in the 23rd minute, replaced by Amos Pieper, testing Bremen's resilience as they aimed to continue their strong away form against a Wolfsburg side desperate for their first home victory of the season.

The home side drew first blood in the 19th minute when Tiago Tomás capitalized on a chaotic sequence following a corner kick. The Portuguese forward showcased his predatory instincts, poking home from close range after a series of ricochets in the Bremen penalty area. Tomás's goal, his second in consecutive matches, ignited the Volkswagen Arena and seemed to set Wolfsburg on course for that elusive home win. The Wolves continued to press, with Jakub Kamiński and Mohamed Amoura both testing Michael Zetterer in the Bremen goal, but were unable to extend their lead before the break.

Just as it seemed Wolfsburg would take a lead into halftime, Bremen struck back in spectacular fashion. In the dying moments of the first half, Marvin Ducksch delivered a pinpoint cross that found Mitchell Weiser at the near post. Weiser, timing his run to perfection, met the ball with a powerful volley that flew past Grabara, levelling the score at 1-1 moments before the break. This crucial goal not only changed the complexion of the match but also set the stage for a pulsating second half.

The second half began with Bremen in the ascendancy, and they quickly capitalised on their momentum. In the 51st minute, Felix Agu found himself in the right place at the right time, slotting home a rebound after Grabara had initially saved Grüll's close-range effort. This goal turned the tide decisively in Bremen's favour, and they began to dominate proceedings. The visitors' control was further cemented in the 67th minute when Ducksch, who had been instrumental throughout, got on the scoresheet himself. A swift counterattack saw Weiser turn provider this time, setting up Ducksch for a clinical finish that extended Bremen's lead to 3-1.

Wolfsburg's hopes of a comeback were dealt a severe blow just a minute after Ducksch's goal. Substitute Patrick Wimmer, who had only been on the pitch for three minutes, was shown a straight red card for a reckless challenge on Grüll. This dismissal left the Wolves not only trailing but also a man down, and Bremen wasted no time in capitalising on their numerical advantage. In the 72nd minute, Grüll put the result beyond doubt, scoring Bremen's fourth with a deflected volley that wrong-footed Grabara. Although Joakim Mæhle managed to pull one back for Wolfsburg in the 79th minute with a well-taken strike, it proved to be merely a consolation.

Marvin Ducksch emerged as the standout performer in this enthralling encounter, showcasing his all-round attacking prowess. The Bremen forward was at the heart of his team's comeback, providing two crucial assists before adding a goal of his own. Ducksch's vision and execution for Weiser's equaliser just before halftime changed the course of the match, while his clinical finish to make it 3-1 effectively sealed the victory for Bremen. His ability to both create and score underlined his importance to the team and rightfully earned him the Player of the Match accolade.

Bundesliga Match Facts
xGoals: Wolfsburg 2.21 - Bremen 2.49
Fastest player: Tiago Tomás (VfL Wolfsburg), 35.4 km/h
Lowest goal probability: 1-0 by Tiago Tomás (VfL Wolfsburg), 96 percent
Most pressed player: Romano Schmid (SV Werder Bremen), 28 times under pressure
Pass efficiency: Ridle Baku (VfL Wolfsburg), 2.34

Fantasy Heroes: Mitchell Weiser (SV Werder Bremen, 359 Points), Marvin Ducksch (SV Werder Bremen, 321 Points), Tiago Tomás (VfL Wolfsburg, 233 Points)