bundesliga

Julian Brandt fires Borussia Dortmund to narrow win over Werder Bremen

23.10.2023

Julian Brandt scored a second-half winner as Borussia Dortmund edged Werder Bremen and made it five wins in a row.

Borussia Dortmund 1-0 Werder Bremen
Goals: 1-0 Brandt 67' (assist: Can)

Dortmund made a purposeful start as they eyed the chance to take another win in front of their fans. Donyell Malen tested stand-in Bremen goalkeeper Michael Zetterer with the first shot of the encounter, but it was turned behind by a strong save. That set the tone for much of the first period, with Julian Ryerson and Malen twice more being denied by the visiting shotstopper. Leonardo Bittencourt and Marvin Ducksch tried their luck in front of the hosts' goal as Werder put up a spirited show - but there was no doubting Dortmund had the better of the first half. A Marco Reus shot from close range that trickled wide marked the best opportunity of all in the first 45.

Brandt had the first effort of a tight opening to the second half, but it was blocked, before former Bremen striker Niclas Füllkrug had a shot deflected behind. Malen then volleyed a floated Reus cross wide shortly afterwards, as the hosts continued to push. The chances were not easy to come by, though, against a deep-sitting and hard-working Bremen outfit. That was until Emre Can threaded a defence-splitting pass through for Brandt to chase and chip into the net to make the eagerly awaited breakthrough. Little changed in the course of the play after Dortmund took the lead, with Bremen continuing to be compact and the hosts patiently looking for further chances. Young substitute Justin Njinmah had an opportunity to equalise saved, before Felix Nmecha bounced a chance for a second for Dortmund over the bar. Ultimately, the single strike was sufficient to prolong Dortmund's unbeaten start to the season and take them to the top of the tree, albeit just for a night.

Watch: Emre Can on Julian Brandt's winning goal

Match stats

Brandt made his 300th Bundesliga appearance, becoming the third youngest player to reach the milestone. He scored in his third successive encounter with Bremen - the city he was born in.
Dortmund are unbeaten in their previous 16 Bundesliga matches.
BVB have not been involved in a goalless draw in the Bundesliga for 135 matches (October 2019 vs. Schalke).
Zetterer made just his third Bundesliga appearance after two last season.
Ex-Dortmund man Marvin Ducksch was unable to register a goal or assist for the first time in six appearances.
Bremen have kept only one clean sheet in their past 20 Bundesliga fixtures.

Get Brandt for your Fantasy team for 16.6M!

Watch: NFL sweepstake - win tickets and legends meet & greet!

Teams

Dortmund: Kobel - Wolf (Reyna 62'), Hummels, Schlotterbeck, Ryerson - Nmecha, Can (c) - Malen (Sabitzer 76'), Reus (Bensebaini 62'), Brandt (Adeyemi 89') - Füllkrug (Haller 77')
Unused subs: Meyer, Özcan, Süle, Bynoe-Gittens
Out: Duranville (thigh), Morey (knee), Moukoko (thigh)
Coach: Edin Terzić

Bremen: Zetterer - Friedl (c), Veljković, Jung (Borré 87') - Weiser, Bittencourt (Lynen 68'), Schmid (Woltemade 81'), Stage, Deman - Kownacki (Njinmah 68'), Ducksch
Unused subs: Angelidis, Rapp, Agu, Opitz, Groß
Out: Keïta (thigh), Pavlenka (muscular), Pieper (muscular), Stark (groin)
Coach: Ole Werner