The race for European football continues as Werder Bremen hosted RB Leipzig at Weserstadion on Saturday, May 10, 2025. The match ended in a dramatic 0-0 draw, leaving both teams with a mix of emotions as they fought for crucial points in the Bundesliga.
Werder Bremen entered the match in eighth place with 47 points, just three points behind Leipzig, who were in sixth place and occupying a Conference League spot. Coach Ole Werner's side was under pressure after throwing away a 2-0 lead last weekend in a draw against Union Berlin. They needed a victory to keep their European dreams alive. However, a loss or even a draw would likely end their hopes of qualifying for Europe, especially if Mainz beat Bochum.
On the other hand, RB Leipzig came into the game after an entertaining 3-3 draw with Bayern Munich, where they had initially led 2-0 before trailing 3-2 until Yussuf Poulsen equalized in the dying moments. Leipzig, managed by Zsolt Löw, needed a win to stay close to Freiburg, who were just two points ahead and held the final Champions League spot.
Before the match, there was an emotional atmosphere as Werder Bremen bid farewell to several players, including Milos Veljkovic, who will be joining Roter Stern Belgrad in the summer. Veljkovic, who was not part of the squad due to injury, expressed his gratitude to the fans, saying, "Thank you for everything. It means everything to me. I thought this day would never come. Thank you for all the ups and downs." His emotional farewell set the tone for the match.
As the game kicked off, both teams showed determination. In just the second minute, Romano Schmid was fouled by Leipzig's Lukas Klostermann, who received a yellow card. Werder Bremen quickly took control of the match, creating several chances. Marvin Ducksch had a great opportunity in the third minute, but his shot was saved by Leipzig goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi.
The first half saw Werder Bremen dominating possession and creating more chances. In the 18th minute, Schmid had another chance, and just three minutes later, Amos Pieper also went close after a corner. However, the breakthrough eluded them. Leipzig struggled to find their rhythm, with their first real chance coming in the 13th minute when Marco Friedl fouled Xavi Simons, earning another yellow card.
Despite Bremen’s pressure, they failed to convert their chances. In the 38th minute, Schmid found himself one-on-one with Gulacsi but was unable to score, a miss that loomed large as the match progressed. Just before halftime, Ducksch was fouled in the penalty area by El Chadaille Bitshiabu, but the referee did not award a penalty, much to the dismay of the Werder players and fans.
The second half kicked off with Bremen continuing to press for a goal. Felix Agu missed a golden opportunity in the 46th minute, sending his shot over the bar. The hosts kept pushing, with Burke and Weiser both testing Gulacsi shortly after. However, despite creating numerous chances, the ball just wouldn’t find the back of the net.
As the match wore on, Leipzig began to threaten. They had a double chance in the 70th minute, but Bremen goalkeeper Zetterer was equal to the task, first saving a shot from Christoph Baumgartner and then watching as Nicolas Seiwald hit the crossbar. This sparked a counter from Bremen, with Friedl hitting the woodwork himself in the 75th minute.
In the closing stages, both teams made substitutions, with Bremen bringing on Derrick Köhn and Marco Grüll for Agu and Burke, and Leipzig introducing Poulsen and Nusa. The tension in the stadium was palpable as both teams searched for a late winner, but neither could find the breakthrough.
As the final whistle blew, the score remained 0-0, leaving Werder Bremen with 48 points and in eighth place. Their hopes of qualifying for Europe were dashed, while Leipzig remained in contention for a Champions League spot, but with their own challenges ahead.
After the match, coach Ole Werner reflected on the performance, stating, "We had our chances but couldn't convert them. It’s frustrating not to get the win we needed. Our focus now shifts to the final match of the season." The draw was a bitter pill for Bremen, who had hoped to capitalize on their home advantage and the emotional support of their fans, who had turned out in droves, with a reported 5000 people participating in a fan march before the match.
Looking ahead, Werder Bremen will need to regroup and focus on their last match of the season against Heidenheim, where they will aim to end the campaign on a high note. Leipzig, meanwhile, will look to secure their Champions League aspirations in their upcoming fixtures.
