On December 14, 2024, SV Werder Bremen secured their position among the top half of the table with a decisive 2-0 victory over FC St. Pauli at the packed Millerntor-Stadion. With this win, Bremen not only extended their dominance over St. Pauli but also set their eyes on European competition.
The match started with both teams fielding slightly altered lineups. FC St. Pauli, coming off a narrow 2-1 defeat at Bayer Leverkusen, saw Alexander Blessin make one substitution with Danel Sinani replacing the suspended Morgan Guilavogui. Conversely, Werder Bremen head coach Ole Werner brought Marco Grüll on board to replace the injured Justin Njinmah.
Early on, the game presented a captivating display of intensity, with neither team able to break through each other's defenses, leading to few clear scoring opportunities. The match had been frantic but lacked the final touch until the 24th minute when the visitors struck first.
Derrick Köhn emerged as the hero for Bremen, taking advantage of space created by Jens Stage's clever play. Köhn cut inside and sent a low shot past St. Pauli's keeper Nikola Vasilj, igniting joyful celebrations among the traveling fans. "We want to finish the year with positive results. And even if that's the case, one is never completely satisfied," remarked Werner post-match, emphasizing Bremen's ambition.
Following Köhn's goal, St. Pauli was momentarily stunned but attempted to regroup. They pressed more, forcing Bremen to defend but unable to find the final touch. Bremen's defense held strong, with goalkeeper Michael Zetterer making key saves, including one against Johannes Eggestein just before half-time.
The second half progressed with similar intensity, but not without interruptions; the match was temporarily halted for about 10 minutes due to visibility issues caused by smoke from pyrotechnics set off by fans, both home and away. After this resumption, Werder Bremen doubled their advantage.
Marvin Ducksch then scored the second goal, netting from close range after Vasilj had initially saved from Grüll, solidifying Bremen’s control over the match. With 54 minutes on the clock, Ducksch's sharp finish put St. Pauli on the back foot, forced to chase the game.
Despite their increasing pressure, St. Pauli could not capitalize on their chances. Sinani’s corner skimmed off the head of Marco Friedl, rattling the crossbar and coming agonizingly close to leveling the score. The watchers could feel the tension mount with every missed opportunity.
Time ticked down with St. Pauli increasing their offensive efforts as they searched for at least one goal to salvage something from the game. They made several more attempts from outside the box, but the Werder defense stood resolute, marking yet another frustrating chapter for the home side.
Reflecting on the match, the Bremen team focused on their efficient attacking strategy and disciplined defense. "The last seven encounters were all won by our side," the report emphasized, highlighting the troubling trend for St. Pauli fans, whose team had not secured a victory over Bremen since previous seasons.
Looking forward, both teams have pivotal games approaching. St. Pauli are under pressure; having garnered just five points at home this season, they sit precariously above the relegation zone. Meanwhile, Werder Bremen are climbing the table with aspirations for European competition, displaying teamwork and skill each week.
Supporters and analysts alike will be eager to see how both squads adapt as the season approaches its mid-point, with Bremen clearly riding high and St. Pauli facing significant challenges. With more matches left before the winter break, both have much to gain, giving fans plenty of drama as they enter 2025.
