RB Leipzig edge past Werder Bremen to boost Champions League hopes
RB Leipzig strengthened their grip on a top-four Bundesliga position with a hard-fought 2-1 victory away at Werder Bremen on Saturday. Goals from Antonio Nusa and Rômulo in each half proved decisive, with a late Salim Musah consolation doing little to alter the outcome at the Weserstadion.
The win, secured despite a spirited first-half performance from the hosts, moves Leipzig four points clear of fifth-placed Borussia Dortmund in the race for Champions League qualification. For Werder Bremen, the defeat leaves them just five points above the relegation playoff spot, extending a winless run to four matches.
Bremen started brightly, with Justin Njinmah causing problems for the Leipzig defence. The home side dominated possession and territory for large spells of the opening period but were repeatedly denied by Leipzig goalkeeper Maarten Vandevoordt, who made key saves from Romano Schmid. Against the run of play, Leipzig struck first after 15 minutes. A quick transition following a Bremen chance ended with Rômulo's blocked effort falling to Antonio Nusa, who cut inside and fired a low shot past Mio Backhaus.
Daniel Thioune's Bremen side continued to press, with Cameron Puertas and Schmid going close, but they were punished for a high turnover early in the second half. Christoph Baumgartner pounced on a loose ball and, after Felix Agu's challenge, it fell to Rômulo, who calmly finished to double Leipzig's lead. The Brazilian forward, a summer signing from Wolfsburg, now has eight league goals this season, establishing himself as a key figure in Ole Werner's attack.
Leipzig controlled proceedings after the second goal, limiting Bremen's opportunities until deep into stoppage time. A neat pass from Schmid found substitute Salim Musah, who slotted home for his first Bundesliga goal since joining from Valencia. The strike came too late to spark a comeback, however, as Leipzig saw out the remaining moments to claim all three points.
The result underscores Leipzig's resilience and efficiency in crucial matches, a characteristic that has defined their push for a return to Europe's premier club competition. For Bremen, the performance offered positives in their energetic start but highlighted a recurring issue in converting dominance into results, a concern as the season enters its final stretch. Both clubs now enter the international break with contrasting objectives firmly in view for the remaining eight fixtures.
