Werkself level with Bremen

After breaking the difficult slide against Köln, Werkself were hopeful to get their European efforts back in line against Bremen. However they were held 1-1 in Düsseldorf and are now ninth in the table and six points behind surging Stuttgart.

The only change from last weeks starting eleven was Toni Kroos in for Arturo Vidal and his inclusion paid off quickly. After a the early play was dominated by Bremen, Bayer 04 took the lead at the eleventh minute as a poor clearance came to Kroos, who passed the ball back to Swiss international Tranquillo Barnetta, who struck the ball in off the crossbar from eighteen metres. Following the goal the midfield had problems moving the ball, a constant complaint of the temporary surface in Düsseldorf and without much of an attack Bremen were a menacing force. After Hugo Almeida struck the post a few minutes after the half-hour mark, Claudio Pizzaro headed-in Aaron Hunt's cross as he was left completely unmarked dead centre just above the six-yard box. After the match the Peruvian striker explained he only saw the ball at the last second but instinctly moved on the opportunity. Werkself came close to restoring its lead as Stefan Kießling made his way around Bremen 'keeper Tim Weise but his shot from a tight angle hit the post.

In the second half Bremen's Clemens Fritz struck the post with twelve minutes remaining but for the major of the later stages it looked like Werkself was going to take away the three points. Toni Kroos, Patrick Helmes and Renato Augusto each were held by the Bremen 'keeper and the match ended as a 1-1 draw.