Leipzig win on Werner's return to the Weser Stadium

Ex-coach Werner spent three-and-a-half years in Bremen

However, the return of the former coach hovered over the game: Werner improved Bremen from a second-division club to European Cup contenders in just under three-and-a-half years before the 37-year-old moved to Saxony in the summer. "Of course it's something special when you play at your old club for the first time," said the RB coach ahead of the game.

At first, Werner saw his team give the ball to their opponents and lurk on the counterattack. Romano Schmid failed to beat RB keeper Maarten Vandevoordt with a shot that was too central.

Six Austrians on the pitch

The Saxons took the lead on the counter-attack with their first dangerous move. Nusa took a low shot from the edge of the penalty area and his shot crashed into the bottom left of the goal. Werder's bold style of play repeatedly opened up large spaces for the visitors.

Defensively, the situation was tense anyway. Bremen were without their key players Jens Stage in midfield and central defender Karim Coulibaly. Both had suffered injuries in training. Amos Pieper was forced to make his comeback after knee surgery. He last appeared on the pitch in a match in January.

RB youngster Yan Diomande returned after recovering from a shoulder injury and was in the starting XI. A total of six Austrians started on the pitch. According to data provider Opta, this had never happened before in league history.

Vandevoordt makes several saves

One Austrian in particular stood out in the first half. First, the eye-catching Austrian international Schmid failed to beat the strong Vandevoordt, then Justin Njinmah missed the equalizer shortly before the half-time whistle.

The shock of the Pieper injury was followed by the next setback for Bremen when Romulo profited from the chaos in the penalty area and extended the lead unchallenged. The game flattened out noticeably after that. And the Bremen substitutes, led by expensive summer signing Samuel Mbangula, hardly posed any danger.

It was only in stoppage time that substitute Salim Musah first missed the connection - and then did better shortly afterwards and reduced the deficit with his first league goal in the third game.

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