This Monday, Heidenheim welcomed Werder Bremen for the second leg match of Bundesliga relegation play-offs. At the Voith-Arena, we saw a game with a lot of emotion and 4 goals, ending in a 2-2 draw. The first leg was also a draw, but with no goals. Tim Kleindienst scored both goals for the hosts, while Norman Theuerkauf, with an own goal, and Ludwig Augustinsson scored for the visitors.
Being the stronger side, it was no surprise that Bremen started the first half with more intensity. Already in the early minutes, they arrived in the attacking field, bringing danger to the home team. So, at the 3rd minute, they were already breaking the deadlock. After a small confusion in the edge of the box, Theuerkauf ended up sending the ball into the back of his own net.
And the visitors kept on pressing forward, obligating goalkeeper Kevin Muller to make some good saves. Meanwhile, the hosts were having difficulty to attack and basically didn’t threaten their opponents’ goal. With that, they went to the locker room losing by one goal.
In the second half, the home team change a few players and started having more the ball and looking for the equalizer. They were even able to get some attempts in the early minutes, with the shots passing really close to the post. However, it took a lot of time until they finally found the goal. It happened only at the 85th minute when Kleindienst got the rebound on Tobias Mohr’s shot and put the ball into the back of the net.
After that, the final minutes were quite intense. The referee gave 8 minutes of injury time and more two goals happened. At 90+4, Bremen went ahead again. After Fin Bartels’ cross, Augustinsson was alone in the middle of the box to send the ball into an empty net.
4 minutes later, the hosts found another equalizer. They were awarded a penalty, which Kleindienst stepped up and converted from the spot. However, it was already too late to a possible comeback and the match ended 2-2.
According to the rules, Werder Bremen will continue in the Bundesliga. It will be their 56th season in the first division. Meanwhile, Heidenheim will play once again the 2. Bundesliga, dreaming of qualifying for the first time to the top league.