Mainz undone by spirited 10-man Bremen as Köhn makes the difference

Matchday 3 was brought to a close with the enticing fixture of Mainz 05 who played host to SV Werder Bremen. In the end, it would be a late goal from summer signing Derrick Köhn who gave Ole Werner’s side a 2-1 victory

Fans were subjected to a frantic start as Robin Zentner played a pivotal role in keeping Bremen at bay inside five minutes. However, there was little the towering German shot-stopper could do to prevent Marvin Ducksch’s penalty which he fired into the lower right corner. Dominick Kohr the guilty party in this instance as he caught Njinmah in the box. However, Mainz didn’t shrink and became the dominant force thereafter. 

Bremen continued to struggle with the host’s press, and approaching the half-hour point Mainz responded. Jae-Sung Lee perhaps zomewhat fortuitous to be in the right place at the right time as Zetterer collided with Stark and lost control of the ball. The Korean was never going to miss with an open goal at his mercy. 

Zetterer was a busy man after the interval – Burkardt’s delivery fell to Hong, but the Bremen goalkeeper could make the point blank save. Ole Werner’s side would be reduced to 10-men with 30 minutes left to play on the clock. Bremen skipper Marco Freidl received a straight red card for a last man challenge on Burkardt who looked through on goal.

Dispite the numerical disadvantage, Bremen struck on the counter to reestablish their lead. Romano Schmid gathered speed into the Mainz half before threading the perfect pass to Derrick Köhn – the summer signing squeezed the ball inside the left upright past the onrushing Zentner. In the end, the green clad side from the north hung on for all three points thanks to some fine saves from Michael Zetterer at the death.