Mainz 1 : 2 Werder Bremen - Bremen win at Last

Posted Sunday, November 02, 2014 by PA

Werder Bremen picked up their first win of the season on Viktor Skripnik's league debut as coach, coming from behind to beat Mainz 2-1.

Shinji Okazaki gave the hosts an early lead but Bremen refused to hoist the white flag so soon and fought their way back into the game, Franco Di Santo bringing them level just before half-time.

Di Santo struck again early in the second half for a priceless goal for Bremen, sealing their first Bundesliga win of the season and, considering also their win in the DFB-Pokal in midweek, making it two wins from two for Skripnik since he replaced Robin Dutt.

Okazaki gave Mainz a flying start to the game when he took Koo Ja-cheol's pass in his stride and then cut back inside two Bremen defenders before shooting low into the bottom left-hand corner.

The Japanese forward almost added a second in the fifth minute when he flicked Johannes Geis' free-kick towards goal with his head, but Raphael Wolf stretched out his right arm to turn the ball behind.

There were several more hairy moments in the Bremen defence before the guests finally managed to get a grip of things.

They then found a way back into the game when Fin Bartels was fouled inside the area and a penalty was awarded.

Di Santo stepped up and, although Loris Karius guessed the right way and blocked his effort, the ball came back to the Argentinian, who headed into the opposite corner.

While it was Mainz who had grabbed an early goal in the first half, it was Bremen's turn in the second.

Felix Kroos sent a delightful ball through for Di Santo, who supplied an outstanding finish as Karius came off his line to narrow an angle which was still not impossible for the Bremen forward.

The game took on a totally new complexion with Bremen oozing confidence and Di Santo going close to completing his hat-trick.

Clemens Fritz hit the outside of the post before Mainz's inevitable reaction came in the final 20 minutes, but it failed to produce an equaliser as they lost their second game in a row after relinquishing their unbeaten record last weekend.