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Bielefeld (dpa) - Werder Bremen has taken a big step towards relegation.
The Hanseatic League won the catch-up game in the Bundesliga on Wednesday evening, despite a moderate performance against rival Arminia Bielefeld, who was threatened with relegation, 2-0 (0-0) and thus increased the gap to East Westphalia on the relegation place to eleven points.
The newcomer, on the other hand, remained without a win in the seventh league game in a row and in the second under her new coach Frank Kramer.
The goals on the Bielefelder Alm were scored by Joshua Sargent (47th minute) and Kevin Möhwald (75th).
Shortly before the 2-0, Arminia's substitute defender Nathan de Medina saw the red card for gross foul play after video evidence (72nd).
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With ten games still to go, Werder - relegation participants last season - now has a reassuring lead over the relegation zone and remains twelfth.
Bielefeld, on the other hand, is only one point ahead of a direct relegation zone and has to fear more and more about staying in the class in the final phase of the season.
The teams took a similar approach: They tried to get into switching situations after conquering the ball.
In the first half, which was characterized by many midfield duels, Bielefeld, which started for the first time this season without its captain Fabian Klos, was the more handy team.
The home side came several times dangerously into the penalty area of the guests and to some deals, the Bremen team remained pale and erratic with their few half-chances.
Werder central defender Ömer Toprak prevented a goal when he threw himself into a shot by Bielefeld striker Ritsu Doan (29th).
Also annoying for the North Germans: Marco Friedl saw the fifth yellow card (35th) and is missing next Saturday at the home game against FC Bayern.
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But immediately after the break, Werder took the lead.
Sargent pushed the ball into the goal from close range in the first determined offensive action after a deflected cross from Bremen's Milot Rashica from Amos Pieper.
Arminia reacted with furious attacks, but Doan (53rd) failed because of Werder keeper Pavlenka.
Kramer then brought in midfielder Klos (62nd), but the hosts' initial momentum was gone after the red card against de Medina and the beautifully played 2-0 by Möhwald.
Klos also missed his fourth goal of the season (80th) after a corner from close range.
The duel should actually have taken place at the beginning of February, but was canceled at short notice due to a violent onset of winter.
The weather on this March Wednesday in East Westphalia: Around eight degrees and occasional rain.
© dpa-infocom, dpa: 210310-99-769778 / 2
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Information about the game on bundesliga.de
Bielefeld line-up
Werder line-up