RBL close out 2023 with 1-1 draw against Werder

Heading into the winter break with a draw!

RBL got off to a bright start and almost took the lead after 44 seconds! A header from former Leipzig defender Anthony Jung landed at Castello Jr's feet, who was denied by the woodwork. Leipzig had more possession at the start of the game and were giving Bremen the runaround. Xavi found himself in a promising position, but was prevented from getting a shot away by a last-second tackle (20'), before Werder's keeper Michael Zetterer did well to deny Yussuf Poulsen (31').

Werder began to assert themselves after half an hour and had two big opportunities. Castello Jr. cleared Rafael Borré's header off the line (33') and, shortly afterwards, Jens Stage was completely unmarked at the back post, but spurned the chance to put his side ahead (34'). RBL were unfortunate not to go ahead in the closing stages of the first half. Amadou Haidara hit the post from around 20 yards out and Yussuf Poulsen reacted quickly to convert the deflection, but he was found to be in an offside position after a VAR check (41').

RBL started the second half well. Emil Forsberg played a great ball through to Lois Openda, who brushed off his marker and raced through on goal. His first two shots were blocked, but he managed to score with his third bite of the cherry to put us ahead! The Green-Whites weren't fazed by this, however, and Janis Blaswich was called into action to deny Rafael Borré (56'), before Marvin Ducksch's shot skimmed the crossbar. 

In the 62nd minute of the game, Emil Forsberg's time at RB Leipzig came to and end, as he was replaced by Christoph Baumgartner. Lois Openda almost had his second in the 67th minute. Eight minutes later, Justin Njinmah curled home brilliantly at the other end to put things back on level terms (75'). Haidara had another shot from distance in injury time, but it was no problem for Zetterer and the points were shared in Bremen.
 

Bundesliga | Werder Bremen – RB Leipzig

LINE-UPS

SVW: Zetterer - Friedl (C), Groß (83' Lynen), Jung - Stage, Weiser, Agu (83' Deman), Njinmah (87' Kownacki), Bittencourt (83' Woltemade) - Borre (62' Schmid), Ducksch

RBL: Blaswich - Henrichs, Klostermann, Castello Jr. (46' Simakan), Raum - Haidara, Kampl (76' Seiwald)- Forsberg (C, 62' Baumgartner), Xavi (84' Carvalho) - Openda, Poulsen (76' Sesko)

SVW unused subs: Pavlenka (GK), Sato, Löpping, Röcker

RBL unused subs: Gulacsi (GK), Lenz, Bitshiabu, Werner
 

GOALS

0-1 Openda (47'), 1-1 Njinmah (75')
 

YELLOW CARDS

Groß (59'), Bittencourt (66'), Njinmah (84'), Ducksch (90+1')| Kampl (69'), Haidara (90+1')
 

OFFICIALS

Referee: Tobias Reichel (Sindelfingen)

First assistant: Marco Achmüller (Bad Füssing)

Second assistant: Christian Bandurski (Schermbeck)

Fourth official: Sören Storks (Rostock)

Video assistant: Guido Winkelmann (Kerken)
 

1st minute: Castello Jr. hits the post

• Almost a dream start for RBL! Anthony Jung clears David Raum’s free-kick with his head, but it only goes as far as Castello Jr. Our number 23 brings the ball down and shoots, but it hits the woodwork.
   

20th minute: Xavi looking lively

• RBL launch another attack, this time through Xavi. The Dutchman manages to get past Jung and into the Bremen box, but a last-ditch tackle prevents him from getting a shot off.
   

31th minute: Zetterer denies Poulsen

• Another big chance for Leipzig! Lois Openda finds some space on the right wing and whips a ball in towards Yussuf Poulsen. Our number nine tries to poke the ball past Michael Zetterer, but Werder’s keeper produces a smart save to keep things level.
   

32nd minute: Goal line clearance from Castello Jr.

• SVW look threatening for the first time, as Mitchell Weiser swings a ball in towards Rafael Borré. The Colombian’s header wrong-foots Janis Blaswich, but Castello Jr. manages to clear the ball off the line.
   

35th minute: Huge chance for Stage

• Werder have really grown into the game and are creating more and more opportunities. A cross finds Jens Stage, who is completely unmarked at the back post, but the Denmark international’s effort flies over the crossbar.
   

41st minute: Millimetres offside

• So close! Amadou Haidara has a go from distance and his shot is deflected onto the post. Yussuf Poulsen reacts quickly and heads home into an empty net. After a VAR check, the goal is disallowed, as Yussi was just offside.
   

47th minute: Openda opens the scoring!

• RBL race out of the blocks in the second half. Emil Forsberg plays a wonderful ball through to Lois Openda who manages to drift past his marker. All of a sudden, the Belgian finds himself one-on-one with Zetterer. His first two shots are blocked, but he squeezes the ball into the net at the third time of asking to give us the lead!
   

55th minute: Nervous moments

• Rafael Borré cuts inside and smashes the ball towards the bottom corner, but Janis Blaswich gets down quickly and parries the ball away from danger. Werder’s dangerman Marvin Ducksch has his first real opportunity shortly afterwards, as his shot from range clips the crossbar.
   

62nd minute: End of an era

Emil Forsberg is replaced by Christoph Baumgartner in the 62nd minute of the game, which brings his illustrious RB Leipzig career to an end. Thank you for everything, Emil!
 

75th minute: Werder equalise

SVW get back on level terms with 15 minutes to go. Justin Njimah picks up the ball on the edge of the box and gives Janis Blaswich no chance, bending it beautifully into the bottom-left corner.