Turbine Potsdam's Struggles Continue with Home Loss to Bremen

Photo credit: IMAGO/foto2press

1. FFC Turbine Potsdam remains without a point in the Google Pixel Frauen-Bundesliga after Matchday 13. The team suffered a 1-4 home defeat against Werder Bremen and remains at the bottom of the table.

Lineups

Potsdam started with a defensive 5-3-2 formation. The back five, consisting of Suya Haering, Emilie Bernhardt, Jennifer Cramer, Mia Schmid, and Irena Kuznezov, aimed to make it difficult for the opponent to create promising scoring opportunities. The team's focus was clearly on defense, with Bianca Schmidt and Viktoria Schwalm leading the attack.

Bremen opted for an offensive 3-4-3 system designed for quick attacking play. The front three of Maja Sternad, Larissa Mühlhaus, and Tuana Mahmoud were central to Bremen’s game. Additionally, wing midfielders Saskia Matheis and Sophie Weidauer provided attacking width while also supporting the defense, allowing the team to transition into a back five when needed.

First Half

Bremen quickly showed their intent to win the game. In the 7th minute, after a well-constructed attack from their own penalty area, the ball landed at the feet of Sophie Weidauer, who turned and took a shot, narrowly missing the post. Bremen continued to press forward, creating multiple chances. In the 37th minute, Potsdam goalkeeper Vanessa Fischer made a crucial save to deny Bremen the lead.

However, a set-piece finally broke the deadlock. After a handball, Larissa Mühlhaus stepped up for a free kick in the 38th minute and scored spectacularly from the left half-space.

Potsdam responded just before halftime. In the 42nd minute, a well-played attack down the left side resulted in Bianca Schmidt scoring the equalizer to make it 1-1.

Second Half

At the start of the second half, Bremen brought on captain Lina Hausicke for Lena Dahms—a special moment as she returned after more than a year out due to injury. Bremen remained the dominant side, and in the 60th minute, Mühlhaus was unlucky to hit the crossbar with another free kick attempt.

Bremen finally regained the lead in the 72nd minute. A cross from the left found Sophia Weidauer, who struck the ball directly, hitting the inside of the left post and scoring to make it 2-1.

In the 81st minute, Larissa Mühlhaus extended Bremen’s lead to 3-1 with a close-range finish.

Shortly before the final whistle, Mühlhaus capped off her outstanding performance with another goal. In the 89th minute, she converted a 30-meter free kick that bounced just before the goal and found the net, securing her hat-trick and sealing Bremen’s 4-1 victory.

Substitutions

Potsdam: Noa Slimhojits for Irena Kuznezov (57’), Valentina Limani for Bianca Schmidt and Ena Taslidza for Viktoria Schwalm (75’), Laura Linder for Sara Ito (83’)

Bremen: Lina Hausicke for Lena Dahms (46’), Verena Wieder for Maja Sternad (63’), Emoke Pápai for Amira Arfaoui (64’), Amira Dahl for Tuana Mahmoud (89’)

Statistics

Werder Bremen controlled the game with 60% possession, while Potsdam managed only 40%. Bremen was also significantly more dangerous in attack, registering ten shots on target compared to Potsdam’s three. The difference was Bremen’s efficiency in front of goal and their strength in set-pieces, particularly through Larissa Mühlhaus. While Bremen capitalized on their dominance, Potsdam lacked the attacking power to keep the game competitive.