Gnabry and Sané strike to guide Bayern beyond Bremen
Having endured some choppy form of late, Werder Bremen welcomed the challenge of Bayern Munich to the Weserstadion. Coach Ole Werner sought to restore midfield control to his side. Romano Schmid was preferred to Maxi Philipp and their traditional double-pronged strike force.
Meanwhile, ‘Die Rekordmeister’ would have to make do without the suspended Goretzka, as the reportedly frustrated Gravenberch filled the void. Veteran Thomas Müller left with a substitute role once more.
Although Bremen substitute Schmidt gave the visitors a late scare, goals from Gnabry and Sané saw the Bavarian's over the line.
Bayern started brightly, strangling their hosts with an aggressive press which reaped a handful of mistakes leading to corners. Jiří Pavlenka was called to his side’s rescue as the game approached 20 minutes – a firm hand was enough to divert Pavard’s header away from goal.
Meanwhile, ‘Die Rekordmeister’ would have to make do without the suspended Goretzka, as the reportedly frustrated Gravenberch filled the void. Veteran Thomas Müller left with a substitute role once more.
Although Bremen substitute Schmidt gave the visitors a late scare, goals from Gnabry and Sané saw the Bavarian's over the line.
Despite a lack of possession Bremen heads were beginning to lift. Bittencourt and Groß unleashed speculative but similarly tame shots which failed to fluster Sommer. The aforementioned Groß’ hastily struck effort on 35 minutes would go down as a chance he wished to have back. Nothing to split the teams as arbiter Christian Dingert’s whistle blew for the break.
Bremen left off where they ended the first-half as Weiser scythed down the right flank leaving Cancelo in his wake. The former Bayern wing-back managed to find Ducksch whose strike was blocked. Bayern sprang to life in the 55th minute as Kimmich orchestrated the move. Gnabry would cut back for Mané who blazed narrowly wide. However, the pair would combine for the game’s opening goal on 62 minutes. Mané’s delivery ricocheted off Musiala into the path of Gnabry who plunged the ball into his former employer’s net.
To the delight of Tuchel, substitute Leroy Sané secured a 2-0 lead for the Bavarians ten minutes later. Mazraoui’s delightful pass unlocked the German international who slotted beneath Pavlenka from an acute angle. Bremen did hit back towards the death and what a strike it was to boot. Nicklas Schmidt’s rocket-propelled right foot thrashing the ball inside Sommer’s left post for 2-1. In the end, Bayern did enough to hang on for those valuable points.