5th matchday
Joker Njinmah hits: Bremen exacerbates Cologne crisis
Bremen’s Justin Njinmah (l) scores the goal to make it 2-1. photo
© Sina Schuldt/dpa
In a hard-fought Bundesliga game, Werder Bremen narrowly beat 1. FC Köln. Uncomfortable times are likely to dawn for Cologne, who are still without a win.
1. FC Köln is even deeper into the game Crisis slipped.
Coach Steffen Baumgart’s team missed their first win of the season in the Bundesliga at the fifth attempt with a 1:2 (1:1) draw at Werder Bremen and is stuck in the bottom of the table. Bremen, on the other hand, were able to move into the middle of the table with their second win.
In front of 42,100 spectators, former Bremen player Davie Selke (31st minute) gave the guests the lead. New signing Rafael Borré equalized Werder seven minutes later before substitute Justin Njinmah (67th) scored to make the final score 2-1.
Despite the league’s false start, FC coach Baumgart opted for an offensive approach. “The game will continue in the same way until success,” said the ex-professional before kick-off on the TV channel Sky. “We’re in the learning process every year, but this time we’re getting hit every time in the learning process.” There was almost an early blow in Bremen, but Werder captain Niklas Stark narrowly missed the early lead with a header (5th).
Werder’s defense remains flawed
Werder also wanted to present themselves better after last Sunday’s weak 2:4 at newly promoted Heidenheim. Coach Ole Werner made five changes – but initially nothing changed about the flawed defense. Cologne’s Linton Maina dribbled his way through the Werder defense and tested goalkeeper Jiri Pavlenka with a low shot (14th).
The guests seemed more mature in their build-up to the game and could rely on striker Selke. The striker, who played for Werder from 2013 to 2015 and from January 2020 to 2021, headed in from close range after a corner to make it 0-1 (31st).
However, the Baumgart team did not feel secure with the opening goal; the quick equalizer was proof of this. Marvin Ducksch was able to pass far too easily into the path of the Colombian Borré, and the successor to national player Niclas Füllkrug had no problems in his starting eleven debut for the North Germans, shooting the ball into the goal past FC keeper Marvin Schwäbe (38th).
Things didn’t get any better in terms of play after the break. Werder acted more aggressively, but were able to use goalscorer Borré far too rarely. Cologne kept looking for Maina, the winger kept creating gaps with his speed. However, FC could hardly take advantage of the advantage on the right side.
Njinmah with second goal in third substitute appearance
Werder coach Werner tried to bring new impetus to the offensive by substituting Njinmah for Borré – and he was rewarded for it. The free-standing Njinmah carefully used a pass from Senne Lynen to make it 2-1. The 22-year-old scored his second goal of the season in his third appearance as a substitute. In stoppage time, Naby Keita, who had been injured for a long time, came on as a substitute for Werder; it was the first appearance in the green and white jersey for the former Leipzig and Liverpool player. Keita even had the chance to score Bremen’s third goal (90+4).