Werder Bremen recovered from two goals down at Borussia Dortmund, with former BVB forward Niclas Füllkrug heading a stoppage-time equaliser in a 2-2 draw.
The sporting fact
Werder had resisted Dortmund for 80 minutes before Daniel Svensson put the home side ahead. Nico Schlotterbeck made it 2-0 five minutes later and appeared to have settled the game.
Bremen responded again, as they had against FC Augsburg before the international break. Ludovit Reis cut the deficit before Füllkrug levelled late on at Signal Iduna Park.
It fell short of Bremen’s turnaround at Dortmund in 2022/23, when they turned a late 2-0 deficit into a 3-2 win. This time, the point still carried weight.
Füllkrug has scored four goals in five Werder appearances, finding the net in each of his last four matches. The 33-year-old spent one season at Dortmund and reached the Champions League final with the club.
He said Bremen’s work without the ball had earned the result. “The commitment is extremely high. You could see it in the first half: after losing possession, everyone gets back quickly and joins the counter-press.”
He added that the late goal was the reward for “staying positive and showing that willingness”.
Füllkrug joked that a 20:30 kick-off in Dortmund had brought out his “Champions League Fülle”. He said the stadium chant during the warm-up had motivated him and was something he had missed.
His celebration was not intended as a message to his former club. “I scored for us, not against them,” he said. “I like BVB very much and still watch many of their matches.”
Asked about a possible Germany return, Füllkrug did not wish to push the subject. He said he would always be available if his country called, even at 43, but would not campaign for a place. “I cannot rule anything out,” he added.
Next Spieltag
Promoted side SC Paderborn visit the Weserstadion next week.
