Analysis of the Cup Exit

The 35th minute: “Werder will probably win nine out of ten games away in Bremen. But nine out of ten doesn’t mean ten out of ten.“ With these words, Florian Kohfeldt had outlined the Lilies‘ starting position before the cup game with the Bundesliga club. SV 98 knew in advance that a lot would have to go right on this cup evening in order to knock Werder out of the competition. In addition to your own performance, such games often also require a bit of luck in things that a team does not have control over.“

This text passage is in no way intended to criticise Martin Petersen or label him as the main person responsible for the Lilies‘ cup exit, but rather to point out that the famous little things that Tuesday evening did not fall into the Lilies‘ lap. 35 minutes had been played in the Weserstadion when Isac Lidberg was fouled by the rushing Werder keeper Michael Zetterer on the way to a possible opening goal and was thus prevented from having a free shot on goal. Referee Petersen decided on a yellow card and against a sending off. “Zetterer was very lucky,” writes Kicker in their match report, former FIFA referee Manuel Gräfe also commented and added: “He made that decision. They have to accept that.” Of course, the Lilies‘ chances would have increased in the majority, in the eleven against eleven Werder remained the team that dominated the game for large parts. “If these little things are not on our side, it will be even more difficult than it already is,” summarised Marcel Schuhen and also mentioned the questionable free kick whistle that preceded Bremen’s winning goal in the 94th minute.

The defence over 93 minutes: Aleksandar Vukotić headed countless crosses from the penalty area, a Lilien player repeatedly threw himself into the Werder team’s final attempts, Matej Maglica (72nd minute) and Kai Klefisch (85th minute) prevented goals that were believed to be certain. SV 98 defended with incredible passion and high concentration; the switch to a three-man or five-man chain filled the South Hesse team with life and a desire to defend right from the start. Klefisch spoke of a “self-sacrificing” performance, his head coach even called it an “outstanding” performance. Compared to everyday league games, Kohfeldt gave his team a more defensive approach and called up a third central defender in Maglica. The plan worked. “We believe in what the coach gives us,” revealed Marcel Schuhen, who was also always on hand for the hosts’ few direct shots on goal. The stability of the Lilies this Tuesday evening was further proof that SV 98 has clearly developed under Kohfeldt not only offensively but also defensively. Bremen’s game idea is likely to remain the exception in the league, but the cup experience will also help in the future, as Klefisch made clear: „We stood up to a Bundesliga team for 90 minutes. We take a lot of positive things from that.“

Too hesitant offensively: One of the little things that decide a football game is making the right decision within a fraction of a second. Of course, Bremen had more of the game, but the South Hesse team definitely didn’t have a chance. However, the Lilies were often too complicated in their offensive options. An example of this was the 93rd minute, when Fynn Lakenmacher energetically penetrated the Bremen penalty area, hit a catch and then even had a free field of fire. But the attacker decided on another feint and missed the right moment for a promising finish. “If Fynn shoots, who knows what will happen,” said Paul Fernie about the scene a few moments before Bremen’s lucky punch. „You don’t get that many chances to score against an opponent like that. You have to take advantage of the ones you have. Unfortunately, he didn’t score,“ summarised Kai Klefisch, before heading the evening with three adjectives: „Bitter, annoying and sad.“

The 94th minute: Regardless of whether Marvin Ducksch’s free kick was actually preceded by a foul by Guille Bueno: Bremen’s last-minute goal was avoidable. „“I decide to stay on the line, two or three players stay standing, an incredibly stupid goal conceded. In all areas,“ is how Marcel Schuhen described the late knockout when asked. The goal was further proof of the well-known footballing wisdom that just one moment of carelessness can be enough to ultimately lose a game. Especially against an opponent with the quality of Werder Bremen. Anthony Jung caused great celebration on the one hand and frustration on the other at “the worst possible time” (Kohfeldt). And yet, a little later, sports director Paul Fernie was able to draw something positive from the cup evening: „This game will make us stronger.“

The lilies will need this strength next Sunday. When we go to the north of the republic again for the away game at HSV.