Wolfsburg and Werder Bremen joined other Bundesliga clubs in anti-racism gestures along with Union Berlin and Schalke, as Werder Bremen was pushed closer to relegation and Schalke’s winless run became its worst in 27 years.
Borussia Dortmund and Hertha Berlin were the first to kneel ahead of their game on Saturday in an anti-racism gestures following mass protests across the United States over the police killing of an African-American George Floyd in Minneapolis.
Werder continue poor run of form
Wolfsburg beat Werder 1-0 to take a step toward the Europa League while Werder moved closer to a historic relegation from the Bundesliga.
They were heading for a largely uneventful 0-0 draw in torrential rain before the 82nd minute, when Wolfsburg’s substitute winger Felix Klaus curled in a cross from the right and Wout Weghorst connected it with a bouncing header into the Werder goal.
The result leaves Werder (German champion in 2009), in 17th place, almost certain to be relegated. That would mean only its second season outside the top division since 1962 when the Bundesliga was founded.
Werder Bremen hasn’t won at home in the league since September 1. It is six points off safety and three off Fortuna Düsseldorf in the relegation playoff spot. However, Wolfsburg climbed above Hoffenheim into the sixth place and a Europa League spot.
Union and Schalke kept their unwanted record
Union Berlin and Schalke, whose midfielder Weston McKennie was the first in Germany to protest last week, also kneeled ahead of their 1-1 draw on Sunday. The referee and his assistants also joined in.
Schalke, who were battling for a Champions League spot midway through the season, have now failed to win since 17 January and stayed in 10th place on 38 points. Union climb up to 13th on 32 points.
Union and Schalke kept their unwanted records of not having won since the league restarted. While Union was happy with a point to edge away from the relegation zone, Schalke was again frustrated as its winless run hit 12 games in all competitions, its worst since 1993.
Union supporters gather
Fans are barred from Bundesliga matches because of the pandemic, but Union supporters made their voices heard at the game.
Around 30 people gathered in a forested area near the stadium on Sunday, standing apart for social distancing, and police on site chose not to intervene, the dpa agency reported.
Their chants were clearly audible in the stadium and on TV, something Andrich called “really beautiful.”
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