unspektakulären

Werkself painful collapse since the start of the Rückrunde continued with a 1-0 loss to the Berliners. With three losses in the previous four matches Bayer 04 have fallen well off pace and are now seventh in the table.

The league leaders played strong organization and it was obvious that both sides were going to keep their attacking pulses reigned in, lest be punished by the opposition. Through the opening stages of the half each movement of the ball was countered perfectly by the other sides and neither 'keeper was faced with compelling attacks. Near the twenty minute region Bayer 04 had a handball claim denied and later Stefan Kießling was close with header from a corner but other than that the match went to the break without note. The visit to the capital was spoiled as former Werkself attacker Andrey Voronin scored the matches lone goal as he received Maximilian Nicu through ball and while René Adler saved the first attempt, the rebound came to the striker who pounded the ball into the netting. Up by one, the Berliners were satisfied with the goal and were well behind the ball for the rest of the match and bolted down any Bayer 04 advance. Entrances of Sascha Dum and Toni Kroos with twelve minutes remaining came too late as while they showed good intent Werkself fell 1-0 in a match that they will regret for the lack of aggression.