SV Werder Bremen secured a narrow 1-0 victory over FC St. Pauli at the Weserstadion on matchday six of the Bundesliga.
The home side enjoyed a dream start, taking the lead in the second minute. A cross from Njinmah was cleared by Smith, falling perfectly to Mbangula, who confidently slotted the ball into the left corner from 17 meters. St. Pauli’s immediate response faltered in the seventh minute when Pereira Lage’s close-range effort was expertly saved by Werder goalkeeper Hein.
Werder had a golden opportunity to extend their lead in the ninth minute, but Sugawara, a recent acquisition from the Premier League, fired his shot straight at the opposing goalkeeper, Vasilj. Coulibaly then missed a clear-cut chance in the 23rd minute, sending his shot well over the goal. This left Bremen holding a deserved one-goal advantage at halftime.
The second half saw Blessin’s team increase the pressure, although they lacked the necessary penetration to truly break down the defense. Werder, in turn, executed a solid defensive performance, occasionally launching counter-attacks.
A chance for Bremen to double their lead in the 84th minute saw Schmid free, laying the ball across goal for the substitute Covic, but he was denied by Vasilj. Substitute Boniface then missed a one-on-one opportunity in the fourth minute of added time, preventing what would have been a decisive goal. Ultimately, however, Steffen’s team held on for the win.
The result moves Bremen up to 11th place in the league standings, while St. Pauli remain in ninth.
Elsewhere in the Bundesliga, Bayer Leverkusen defeated Union Berlin 2-0, Borussia Dortmund drew 1-1 with RB Leipzig and Augsburg claimed a 3-1 victory over Wolfsburg.