Bundesliga Regular Season - 12
Werder Bremen 1 - 1 FT 1. FC Köln
Match Statistics
Possession
Shots
Shots on Target
Expected Goals (xG)
Passes
Pass Accuracy
Corners
Fouls
Yellow Cards
Red Cards
Match Events
↓ D. Heintz ↑R. van den Berg 12'
22' M. Friedl (J. Stage)
HT
46' ↓ A. Pieper ↑N. Stark
↓ I. Johannesson ↑K. Lund 46'
↓ A. Castro-Montes ↑T. Krauss 46'
56' Keke Topp
70' ↓ K. Topp ↑V. Boniface
↓ C. Ozkacar ↑L. Waldschmidt 74'
75' Niklas Stark
Jan Thielmann 75'
Eric Martel 78'
81' ↓ C. Puertas ↑S. Mbangula
↓ E. Martel ↑F. Kainz 82'
S. El Mala (K. Lund) 90'
90'+6 Niklas Stark
90'+6 Niklas Stark
Marius Bülter 90'+6
FT
Player Cards
Season performance ratings for players in this match
Werder Bremen
Goalkeepers
M. Backhaus 
PROVOCATEUR
1
fouls won
1
fouls won
2
Duels Won
0
pens won
Defenders
Y. Sugawara
PROVOCATEUR
2
fouls won
2
fouls won
6
Duels Won
0
pens won
A. Pieper 
SWEEPER
4
cleanups
4
cleanups
4
interceptions
0
blocks
K. Coulibaly 
LATE SHIFT
15
late mins
15
late mins
90
total mins
Started
entry
M. Friedl 
SNIPER
100%
conversion
100%
conversion
1
goals
1
shots
Midfielders
S. Lynen
PROVOCATEUR
2
fouls won
2
fouls won
2
Duels Won
0
pens won
J. Stage 
PROVIDER
1
assists
1
assists
1
key passes
7.5
rating
C. Puertas
LATE SHIFT
9
late mins
9
late mins
81
total mins
81
entry
R. Schmid 
ARCHITECT
5
key passes
5
key passes
0
assists
26%
pass acc
M. Grull
ARCHITECT
3
key passes
3
key passes
0
assists
28%
pass acc
Forwards
K. Topp
LATE SHIFT
15
late mins
15
late mins
71
total mins
70
entry
BENCH
K. Hein 
SPECTATOR
0
saves
0
saves
0
conceded
0
minutes
N. Stark 
FRIENDLY FIRE
0
mistake
0
mistake
2
fouls
6
rating
I. Schmidt
LATE SHIFT
15
late mins
15
late mins
0
total mins
Started
entry
L. Bittencourt
LATE SHIFT
15
late mins
15
late mins
0
total mins
Started
entry
P. Covic
LATE SHIFT
15
late mins
15
late mins
0
total mins
Started
entry
S. Alvero
LATE SHIFT
15
late mins
15
late mins
0
total mins
Started
entry
S. Mbangula
LATE SHIFT
15
late mins
15
late mins
9
total mins
Started
entry
J. Njinmah
LATE SHIFT
15
late mins
15
late mins
0
total mins
Started
entry
V. Boniface
LATE SHIFT
15
late mins
15
late mins
19
total mins
Started
entry
1. FC Köln
Goalkeepers
M. Schwabe
LATE SHIFT
15
late mins
15
late mins
90
total mins
Started
entry
Defenders
S. Sebulonsen 
STORMTROOPER
1
shots
1
shots
0
goals
0
on target
D. Heintz
LATE SHIFT
15
late mins
15
late mins
12
total mins
12
entry
C. Ozkacar
STORMTROOPER
1
shots
1
shots
0
goals
1
on target
Midfielders
J. Thielmann
SWEEPER
4
cleanups
4
cleanups
3
interceptions
1
blocks
I. Johannesson
LATE SHIFT
15
late mins
15
late mins
45
total mins
46
entry
E. Martel
LATE SHIFT
8
late mins
8
late mins
82
total mins
82
entry
A. Castro-Montes
LATE SHIFT
15
late mins
15
late mins
45
total mins
46
entry
Forwards
J. Kaminski
LATE SHIFT
15
late mins
15
late mins
90
total mins
Started
entry
M. Bulter
LATE SHIFT
15
late mins
15
late mins
90
total mins
Started
entry
S. El Mala 
CLUTCH HERO
0
goal time
0
goal time
0
impact
8.3
rating
BENCH
R. Zieler
SPECTATOR
0
saves
0
saves
0
conceded
0
minutes
J. Gazibegovic
LATE SHIFT
15
late mins
15
late mins
0
total mins
Started
entry
K. Lund 
SUPER SUB
0
impact
0
impact
45
minutes
6.9
rating
R. van den Berg
SWEEPER
4
cleanups
4
cleanups
2
interceptions
2
blocks
T. Krauss
SWEEPER
3
cleanups
3
cleanups
3
interceptions
0
blocks
D. Huseinbasic
LATE SHIFT
15
late mins
15
late mins
0
total mins
Started
entry
F. Kainz
LATE SHIFT
15
late mins
15
late mins
8
total mins
Started
entry
L. Maina
LATE SHIFT
15
late mins
15
late mins
0
total mins
Started
entry
L. Waldschmidt
LATE SHIFT
15
late mins
15
late mins
16
total mins
Started
entry
Head to Head
| Date | Home | Score | Away | Competition | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16/02/2024 | 1. FC Köln | 0 - 1 | Werder Bremen | Bundesliga | Cologne Stadium |
| 23/09/2023 | Werder Bremen | 2 - 1 | 1. FC Köln | Bundesliga | wohninvest WESERSTADION |
| 20/05/2023 | Werder Bremen | 1 - 1 | 1. FC Köln | Bundesliga | wohninvest WESERSTADION |
| 21/01/2023 | 1. FC Köln | 7 - 1 | Werder Bremen | Bundesliga | RheinEnergieStadion |
| 07/03/2021 | 1. FC Köln | 1 - 1 | Werder Bremen | Bundesliga | RheinEnergieStadion |
| 06/11/2020 | Werder Bremen | 1 - 1 | 1. FC Köln | Bundesliga | wohninvest WESERSTADION |
| 27/06/2020 | Werder Bremen | 6 - 1 | 1. FC Köln | Bundesliga | wohninvest WESERSTADION |
| 21/12/2019 | 1. FC Köln | 1 - 0 | Werder Bremen | Bundesliga | RheinEnergieStadion |
| 12/03/2018 | Werder Bremen | 3 - 1 | 1. FC Köln | Bundesliga | Weser-Stadion |
16/02/2024
23/09/2023
20/05/2023
21/01/2023
07/03/2021
06/11/2020
27/06/2020
21/12/2019
12/03/2018
Werder Bremen Win
1. FC Köln Win
Draw
League Standings
P: 12 GD: +35
P: 12 GD: +9
P: 12 GD: +10
P: 12 GD: +11
P: 12 GD: +8
P: 12 GD: +4
P: 12 GD: +5
P: 12 GD: -1
P: 12 GD: -5
P: 12 GD: +1
P: 12 GD: -4
P: 12 GD: -3
P: 12 GD: -7
P: 12 GD: -12
P: 12 GD: -8
P: 12 GD: -17
P: 12 GD: -14
League Standings
P: 20 GD: +56
P: 19 GD: +21
P: 20 GD: +20
P: 20 GD: +10
P: 20 GD: +11
P: 19 GD: +12
P: 20 GD: -1
P: 20 GD: -5
P: 20 GD: -8
P: 20 GD: -3
P: 20 GD: -13
P: 20 GD: -9
P: 19 GD: -10
P: 20 GD: -14
P: 20 GD: -16
P: 20 GD: -10
P: 20 GD: -16
AI-powered match analysis and previews to help you decide which games are worth watching
Cologne Snatch Dramatic Draw as Stark Sees Red
Worth Watching Futmetrix Score: 64/100. A match defined by reversals at the Weser: Werder Bremen led through M. Friedl, only for Said El Mala to shock them with a 90th-minute equalizer—before Niklas Stark's late red card left the hosts in turmoil.
Friedl's Early Breakthrough and Topp's Heartbreak
Werder Bremen dominated the opening exchanges. Jens Stage orchestrated the play from midfield, and his assist found M. Friedl in the 22nd minute for a composed finish. The home side's intensity was relentless—17 shots fired across the match—yet Marvin Schwäbe's steady hands kept Cologne alive. Then came the hammer blow in the 56th minute: Keke Topp wheeled away in celebration, only for VAR to intervene and cancel the goal. The decision stung the Weser, robbing Werder of what would have been a decisive second.
El Mala Delivers the Sucker Punch
Cologne had been patient, probing, and in the 90th minute they struck with surgical precision. Substitute K. Lund burst down the flank and crossed for Said El Mala, who finished with ice-cold efficiency to make it 1-1. The upset factor was immense—the home crowd stunned into silence. But there was more drama: seconds later, Niklas Stark received a red card for a foul in the 90+6th minute. Werder Bremen faced the final moments with ten men, their numerical disadvantage a bitter punctuation to a match that had swung twice.
The Numbers Behind the Chaos
Werder controlled possession at 49% and strung together 400 accurate passes (84% accuracy), yet Cologne's clinical edge proved decisive. The visitors managed only 10 shots—two on target—but one found the net when it mattered most. Schwäbe's three saves kept Cologne in touching distance, while the balance of the match shifted twice: Friedl's opener, Topp's VAR-cancelled goal, and El Mala's equalizer created a narrative of momentum swings that defined this six-pointer.
Key Questions
How did Niklas Stark's red card impact the match?
Stark's 90+6th-minute dismissal came too late to alter the result but left Werder defending with ten men in injury time. A symbolic blow to the hosts' hopes.
How did VAR change this match?
VAR cancelled Keke Topp's 56th-minute goal, robbing Werder of a potential 2-0 lead. The intervention shifted intensity and momentum decisively toward Cologne.
Did Werder Bremen deserve the late equalizer?
Werder dominated (49% possession, 17 shots), but Cologne were ruthlessly efficient. El Mala's goal rewarded clinical finishing—a fair 1-1 reflecting both sides' contributions.
How is the Futmetrix Score calculated?
The Futmetrix Score (0-100) combines multiple factors: match intensity, competitive balance, stakes importance, and entertainment value to help you decide if this match is worth watching.
Stage and El Mala battle for midfield supremacy in perfectly balanced affair
Average Entertainment Futmetrix Score: 56/100. A mid-table encounter stripped of title-race intrigue, but blessed with rare competitive balance—two Bundesliga sides meeting as genuine equals.
The Setup
Werder Bremen hosts 1. FC Köln at Weserstadion in a fixture devoid of high Stakes but defined by exceptional Balance. Both clubs sit on 16 points—Bremen 11th, Cologne 8th—a separation so marginal it's almost meaningless. Recent Form oscillates: Bremen's DLWDW contrasts sharply with Cologne's DDLLW slump. This is rare Bundesliga territory: two evenly matched sides where neither holds a clear structural advantage.
Key Battle
Jens Stage versus Said El Mala—control the engine, control the match. Stage has three goals in five appearances (7.3 rating average) and orchestrates Bremen's attacking thrust. El Mala brings two goals and an assist across three outings—both are their team's creative lifeblood. Whoever wins the central duel dictates tempo.
Our Prediction
Bremen will press aggressively at home; Cologne will absorb and counter. Mio Backhaus has been exceptional in goal (5.4 saves per match), while Marvin Schwäbe's penalty save shows Cologne's defensive resolve. Expect a 1–1 draw or a narrow 2–1 home victory—a match of tactical substance rather than spectacle, where neither team surrenders but neither breaks through decisively.
Key Questions
Should I watch this match?
Only if you savour tactical midfield chess. No marquee names, no title-race drama—just solid Bundesliga football.
What's the predicted outcome?
Draw or narrow home win. Bremen hold marginal advantage, but Cologne's defensive stability makes defeat unlikely.
Where are Werder Bremen and 1. FC Köln in the league table?
Bremen 11th (16 points), Cologne 8th (16 points). Point-level—a genuine mid-table standoff.
What is Werder Bremen's current form?
Inconsistent: DLWDW over five matches. Flashes of quality, but no sustained momentum.
Who is the in-form player to watch?
Jens Stage (Bremen): 3 goals in 5 matches, 7.3 average rating. Bremen's attacking catalyst.
How is the Futmetrix Score calculated?
The Futmetrix Score (0-100) combines multiple factors: match intensity, competitive balance, stakes importance, and entertainment value to help you decide if this match is worth watching.