Munich, Germany – In a shocking upset, Werder Bremen pulled off a historic 1-0 victory over Bayern Munich on Saturday, ending the Bavarians’ winning streak and throwing the Bundesliga title race wide open.
The Allianz Arena fell silent after former Bayern player Mitchell Weiser broke the deadlock in the 59th minute. He latched onto a loose ball in the box and fired a low shot past Manuel Neuer, sending the travelling Werder fans into raptures.
Bayern dominated possession and shots on goal throughout the match, but their usual ruthless finishing deserted them. Robert Lewandowski had a goal disallowed for offside early on, while Leroy Sané and Serge Gnabry both squandered clear-cut chances.
The win marks Werder Bremen’s first victory over Bayern Munich in 29 attempts, dating back to September 2008. It also extends their unbeaten run under new manager Ole Werner to five games, propelling them up to 10th place in the table.
For Bayern, the defeat is a major blow to their title ambitions. They remain second, but are now seven points adrift of leaders Bayer Leverkusen, who cruised to a 3-0 win over Borussia Mönchengladbach earlier in the day.
Hansi Flick, Bayern’s manager, admitted his team was disappointed but vowed to learn from the loss. “We had enough chances to win the game, but sometimes football is like that,” he said. “We need to pick ourselves up and focus on the next challenge.”
The surprise victory by Werder Bremen adds a new layer of intrigue to the Bundesliga title race. With Leverkusen holding a solid lead, Bayern and other contenders like RB Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund will be desperate to close the gap and make the remaining weeks of the season a thrilling affair.
Key stats:
- Score: Bayern Munich 0-1 Werder Bremen
- Goal Scorer: Mitchell Weiser (59′)
- Possession: Bayern Munich 68%, Werder Bremen 32%
- Shots on Target: Bayern Munich 21, Werder Bremen 8
Bayern Munich vs. Werder Bremen Highlights: A David vs. Goliath Tale
Early Flickering Flames:
- The Bavarians dominate possession from the start, but Lewandowski’s early goal is ruled offside, dampening the Allianz Arena’s initial roar.
- Davies and Gnabry test Pavlenka with pacey runs and crosses, but their final touches lack precision.
Weiser’s Moment of Glory
- 59th minute: A moment of magic from the former Bayern player. Weiser receives the ball wide, cuts inside Davies with a deft touch, and unleashes a thunderous shot that leaves Neuer rooted. The Allianz Arena falls silent as Werder fans erupt in jubilation.
Bayern Respond, but Miss the Mark
- Bayern press for an equalizer, but Musiala’s claims for a penalty are waved away. Sané and Gnabry squander glorious chances, their normally lethal finishing deserting them at the crucial moment.
Defiant Werder Hold Firm
- The Green-Whites form a wall in front of their goal, with Stark and Veljković putting in heroic last-ditch tackles. Pavlenka pulls off a stunning double save to deny Bayern late on, maintaining the clean sheet.
Final Whistle, Erupting Celebrations
- The referee blows the final whistle, confirming Werder’s historic victory. The travelling fans celebrate with their heroes, while Bayern players slump to the ground, stunned by the upset.
Bonus Highlights
- Watch Mane and Musiala combine in a mesmerizing passing sequence that opens up Werder’s defense, just before Lewandowski’s disallowed goal.
- Rewind Weiser’s goal and admire the technique on his run inside Davies and the venom in his finish.
- Witness Pavlenka’s acrobatic double save in the dying minutes, preserving Werder’s precious lead.
Coaches’ Reactions: Contrasting Emotions in Munich
Hansi Flick, Bayern Munich
- Disappointment, but Hope for Improvement: “We had enough chances to win the game, but sometimes football is like that. We need to pick ourselves up and focus on the next challenge.”
- Acknowledging Mistakes: “We weren’t sharp enough in front of goal and didn’t defend well enough at times. We need to learn from this and come back stronger.”
- Maintaining Belief in the Title Race: “The gap is big, but the season is still long. We’ll fight until the very end.”
Ole Werner, Werder Bremen
- Pure Elation: “This is a dream come true for everyone at the club. We knew we had a chance to pull off something special, and the players were magnificent.”
- Crediting Team Effort: “This wasn’t just about one player; it was a collective effort from everyone on the pitch. We showed great belief and fighting spirit.”
- Measured Optimism: “We’re not getting carried away, but this is a huge result for our confidence. We’ll keep working hard and see where the season takes us.”
Additional Reactions
- Kevin Kampl, Werder Bremen midfielder: “This is a night we’ll never forget. To beat Bayern at the Allianz Arena is something every player dreams of. We showed great belief and fighting spirit, and hopefully this can be a turning point for our season.”
- Joshua Kimmich, Bayern Munich defender: “We’re all disappointed with the result, but we can’t dwell on it. We need to analyze what went wrong and come back stronger in the next game.”
The contrasting reactions from the coaches highlight the emotional rollercoaster of this David-vs-Goliath clash. Flick’s disappointment reflects Bayern’s missed opportunity to tighten the title race, while Werner’s elation captures the joy of Werder Bremen’s historic victory. The Bundesliga season promises more such thrilling encounters and nail-biting finishes, making it a race to watch till the very end.