Werder Bremen secured their third win of the Bundesliga season with a 3-2 victory away at FSV Mainz 05. Niclas Füllkrug was the match-winner for the visitors at the Opel Arena, converting two penalties.
The striker found the net from the spot in the seventh minute after a foul on Arthur. His second successful penalty followed in the 25th minute. Mainz fought back through Anthony Caci and Lee Jae-Sung, but Ludovit Reis decided the contest with his goal in the 61st minute for Werder. The win consolidates Bremen's position in the secure mid-table of the standings, where they sit eighth with nine points. Their current record shows two wins, three draws and one loss, with twelve goals scored and an equal number conceded.
Weiser returns after long absence
A positive note for Werder was the return of Mitchell Weiser to the starting lineup. The full-back was back in the first eleven after a 525-day absence and brought experience to the defensive line until his substitution in the 59th minute. His comeback came during a phase where the defence had to be reshuffled, as Olivier Deman was replaced at half-time.
Füllkrug's brace highlights his outstanding form this season. With six goals in six league appearances, he is now the clear top scorer for Werder Bremen. His second goal against Mainz was already his third successful penalty in the last two matches, having also scored from the spot against SC Paderborn 07.
Next task against Hoffenheim
The win in Mainz was the second in the last five competitive matches for Werder, who had previously recorded two draws and one defeat. This recent form of two wins, two draws and a loss follows the results against Paderborn, Dortmund, Twente and Augsburg. The team of coach Urs Fischer can now look ahead to the home game next Saturday with increased confidence. Werder will then host TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, who are currently in 13th place. Another three points would be an important step towards the upper half of the table and could close the five-point gap to the league leaders.
Mainz's Phillip Tietz had emphasised his anticipation before the clash: "I can hardly wait to play against Werder, preferably with a home win." That wish did not come true for him and his team. Instead, Werder seized the opportunity and took three valuable points on the road. The next chance to continue the run comes on October 31st at the Weserstadion.
This story first appeared at faz.net
