Schlotterbeck sent off as Bremen holds Dortmund
Nico Schlotterbeck was sent off in the closing stages as Borussia Dortmund was forced to settle for a point after a frustrating 0-0 Bundesliga draw at Werder Bremen.
Defender Nico Schlotterbeck was sent off in the second half and Nuri Sahin’s side ultimately had to settle for a point.
After an underwhelming start to the match, the visitors were more aggressive after the interval, with substitute Karim Adeyemi making an instant impact with an effort from more than 20 yards out.
But Bremen goalkeeper Michael Zetterer was in place to deny the forward.
Dortmund was reduced to 10 men in the 73rd minute when centre-back Schlotterbeck received a second yellow card for sliding in on Bremen forward Justin Njinmah.
The visitors still pushed for a winner despite their numerical disadvantage, but a solid Bremen defence withstood late pressure to secure a point at home.
Neither side could claim it was hugely unfortunate not to have scored, with Dortmund’s expected goals (xG) total of 0.61 only coming in marginally ahead of the hosts (0.41)
Dortmund did have four shots on target, although all four came from the 58th minute onwards with two of them from substitutes in Adeyemi and Donyell Malen, while Bremen only tested Gregor Kobel, who now has two straight clean sheets, on one occasion.
It was Marvin Ducksch who had the hosts’ only shot on target in his 100th Bundesliga appearance, the first six of which came as a Dortmund player
The result means Bremen ends a run of four straight home defeats to Dortmund in Bundesliga play, although it has now gone nine such matches without a victory.
