Werder Bremen secured a third consecutive Bundesliga victory with a 3-2 away win at Mainz 05. Niclas Füllkrug converted two early penalties before Ludovit Reis scored the decisive goal in the 61st minute. This win solidifies eighth place with nine points from six games, comprising two wins, three draws, and one loss.
The Match
Bremen started dominantly and took the lead in the seventh minute. After a foul on Marco Grüll in the box, Füllkrug sent the ball into the net from the spot. Just 18 minutes later, the 33-year-old doubled the lead with another penalty. Mainz pulled one back through Anthony Caci in the 33rd minute, but Werder remained dangerous. After the break, Ludovit Reis restored the two-goal cushion following an assist from Grüll. Jae-sung Lee pulled one back for Mainz just two minutes later, but Werder held on to their narrow lead until the final whistle.
The Standing
Ole Werner's team is showing stable early-season form and sits five points behind leaders Bayern München. Their recent form of two wins, two draws, and one loss from the last five matches is encouraging. The next test comes on Saturday, October 31st, with a home match against 13th-placed Hoffenheim at the Weserstadion. Top scorer Füllkrug, who joined on loan from West Ham United in the summer, now leads the club's scoring chart with six goals this season. For Mainz 05, it was a sixth home defeat of the campaign.
The Werder defence, which has conceded twelve goals this season, stood firm in the decisive closing minutes. The team managed to protect the early lead gained from the two spot-kicks and took three valuable points in the battle at the lower end of the table. With twelve goals scored and twelve conceded, their goal difference for the campaign remains level.
This story first appeared at Bild Sport
