Arminia Bielefeld achieved a stunning upset by ousting Bundesliga outfit Werder Bremen 2-1 in the DFB-Pokal quarter-finals held at the Alm. With this victory, the third-division team progresses to the semi-finals, igniting celebrations among their fans.
The match started off with Werder Bremen enjoying slightly more possession, but it was Bielefeld’s physical play and tactical discipline which started to unsettle the favorites. Just after the half-hour mark, the match took a dramatic turn when Bremen’s forward Marvin Ducksch had to exit due to what appeared to be a thigh injury.
Bielefeld capitalized on this misfortune shortly thereafter. Marius Wörl put the home side on the scoreboard first, seizing possession from Julian Malatini and curling a shot expertly off the far post to make it 1-0. Not long after, disaster struck for Bremen again when Malatini inadvertently diverted Stefano Russo’s cross past his own goalkeeper, securing Bielefeld’s lead at 2-0 just before halftime.
With the second half underway, Bremen made significant substitutions, bringing on Oliver Burke and Leo Bittencourt to invigorate their attack. Their impact was felt quickly, with Burke finding the net to reduce the deficit to 2-1 within the first ten minutes after the break. This goal injected hope back to the Werder fans, who were desperate for their team to mount a comeback.
Bielefeld's resolve was marked, and they fought valiantly to hold on to their lead. Despite Bremen’s attempts to level the score—including several near-misses, like Amos Pieper’s header hitting the crossbar—Bielefeld’s defense remained steadfast. The final moments of the game were tense, with both teams creating opportunities and Bielefeld's ability to withstand the pressure became apparent.
After seven long minutes of added time, the referee’s final whistle released waves of joy from the Bielefeld camp, confirming their progression to the semi-finals for the first time since 2015. The home crowd erupted with chants of "Bielefeld, Bielefeld, Bielefeld!" as the players embraced each other, having knocked out yet another higher-ranked opponent.
This win marks Bielefeld's continuation of their impressive DFB-Pokal campaign, having previously eliminated top-tier clubs Union Berlin and SC Freiburg. Coach Mitch Kniat expressed his amazement at the victory, noting, “We went full throttle,” highlighting his team’s fearless approach.
Conversely, Werder Bremen's defeat deepens their woes, following what has been described as a dismal run of form. Captain Niklas Stark reflected on the situation, saying, “Sometimes football is inexplicable,” encapsulating the frustrations felt by the team as they face mounting challenges.
With this unexpected triumph, Arminia Bielefeld not only secured their place among the final four but also gained significant financial rewards with estimated earnings of €3.35 million for reaching the semi-finals. The draw for the next round will take place on April 1 or 2, with the final scheduled for May 24 at Berlin's Olympiastadion, making this victory all the more significant as they look to continue their fairytale run.