Werder Bremen secured a dominant 4-1 victory over Union Berlin, with an early red card proving to be the pivotal moment.
Werder Bremen stunned Union Berlin with a decisive 4-1 win at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei on March 8, 2026. A pivotal red card for Union's A. Schafer early in the first half completely shifted the match's dynamic, allowing the visitors to seize control.
Entering the match, Union Berlin sat comfortably mid-table in tenth, despite recent patchy form. Conversely, Werder Bremen desperately needed points, languishing in the relegation playoff spot at sixteenth. This fixture was crucial for Bremen's survival hopes.
The game began with both sides eager to assert control. A contentious moment arose in the 16th minute when Werder Bremen's Niklas Stark received a yellow card for holding. Just two minutes later, Union Berlin was awarded a penalty.
Derrick Kohn calmly converted the spot-kick in the 18th minute, putting Union Berlin ahead. However, the lead was short-lived and immediately overshadowed. Barely a minute after the goal, Union's András Schafer received a direct red card for roughing in the 19th minute.
Playing with ten men, Union Berlin struggled to contain Werder Bremen's numerical advantage. Olivier Deman equalized for Bremen in the 31st minute, guiding home a finish following an assist from Jens Stage. The tide had definitively turned.
Werder Bremen quickly capitalized further. Jens Stage then scored himself in the 36th minute, firing in a shot after Cameron Puertas set him up. A yellow card for Keke Topp in the same minute rounded off a dramatic first half.
Union Berlin faced an uphill battle at the break, down by two goals and a man. Werder Bremen, leading 2-1, looked to consolidate their advantage against the weakened home side. The second half promised continued pressure from the visitors.
Werder Bremen made a double substitution at halftime, bringing on Leonardo Bittencourt and Julián Malatini. These changes injected fresh energy into their attacking play. Union Berlin tried to regroup, but the deficit remained significant.
The numerical superiority continued to tell. Werder Bremen extended their lead in the 66th minute through Marco Grull, who netted a goal from a Romano Schmid assist. This made the score 3-1, putting the game firmly beyond Union's reach.
Union Berlin received another yellow card in the 70th minute, this time for Leopold Querfeld. Substitutions continued for both sides as the game progressed. Werder Bremen maintained their control, stifling any Union comeback attempts.
As the match entered stoppage time, Werder Bremen delivered a final blow. Substitute Patrice Covic scored in the 90+4 minute, with Leonardo Bittencourt providing the assist. This late goal secured a comprehensive 4-1 triumph.
Werder Bremen dominated possession with 75% compared to Union's 25%. They also outshot their opponents 15 to 9, with 5 shots on target versus Union's 2. Bremen's expected goals (xG) stood at 1.96, showing efficiency, while Union's xG was 1.16.
This crucial win provides a significant boost to Werder Bremen's Bundesliga survival hopes, moving them closer to safety. For Union Berlin, the heavy home defeat, compounded by a red card, highlights the need for immediate improvement. The result sees Bremen gain vital ground in the bottom half of the table.
