Goals from Anthony Ujah and Zlatko Junuzović won it at the death for Werder Bremen as TSG 1899 Hoffenheim went in search of their first win.
A poor first-half saw Junuzović volley Bremen in the lead on the stroke of half-time, before Eduardo Vargas scored three minutes after making a substitute appearance.
Cue the arrival of Claudio Pizarro, who returned to the club for a third stint. The 36-year-old assisted Ujah, who had the easy task of slotting the ball past Oliver Baumann before Junuzović netted his second of the game.
Both sides in need of three points
Markus Gisdol named the same lineup that was held to a 0-0 draw against Bundesliga newcomers, SV Darmstadt 98. Summer signing Mark Uth remained upfront despite failing to find the net in 115 minutes following his move from Heerenveen.
Felix Kroos made his first start this season for Werder Bremen, replacing Philipp Bargfrede who started in die Grün-Weißen’s victory over Borussia Mönchengladbach on matchday four. There was a place on the bench for returning legend, Claudio Pizarro who’s with the club for a third stint.
With 51 goals in the past 14 Bundesliga meetings between the two, fans and staff alike expected a flurry of goals, or at least chances.
Neither side turned up for the first-half
A dire opening 20 minutes saw Aron Jóhannsson coming closest to finding the net for Bremen after seven minutes. Joining from AZ Alkmaar, the American ought to have found the target with his header nine-yards out as Volland and Kurányi failed to offer anything upfront for Hoffenheim.
You’d be forgiven for thinking this game was played somewhere other than Germany. Known for its atmosphere, the game was very flat, as were the 21,000 fans. Junuzović tried his luck from distance midway through the first half, bending his effort just wide of Oliver Baumann’s post.
The poor display continued from both sides until the deadlock was broken on the stroke of half-time when the ball fell to Junuzović, who struck the ball on the volley to get off the mark for the season.
Two summer arrivals made an appearance in the second half for Hoffenheim as they chased the game. Vargas and Jonathan Schmid replaced Kuranyi and Steven Zuber as Gisdol’s men went in search for an early equaliser.
Equaliser for Hoffenheim
An inspired substitute was just want the home fans wanted. Vargas found the equaliser just three minutes into the second half. His first in Hoffenheim colours as the Chilean calmly slotted the ball past Wiedwald.
A flurry of chances for Bremen soon followed. The first came from Jóhannsson who took the ball to the by-line before cutting back, forcing a save from Baumann. The resulting corner fell to Assani Lukimya who saw his effort blocked.
Hoffenheim looked a totally different team in the opening 10 minutes of the second half. Pegging Bremen back deep into their half, Fabian Schär fired an effort low and hard towards goal, which was dealt with by Wiedwald.
Volland was next in line to have a shot at the Bremen goal. Spinning inside Santiago García, the German international stung the palms of Wiedwald from 25-yards with 30 minutes left to play.
Hoffenheim had a penalty appeal turned away in the final 20 minutes when Theodor Gebre Selassie and Schmid came together in the area as Hoffenheim went pressing for the winner.
Pizarro the unsung hero?
Fin Bartels had the ball in the back of the net for Bremen with seven minutes left to play, but the referee ruled the goal out for what he deemed a push by Pizarro.
Persitance finally paid off for Pizarro too. The Peruvian's commitment and determination found Ujah, who showcased his finishing ability, putting Bremen in the lead with one minute left.
It didn't stop there though. Junuzović scored his second of the game, making it three for Bremen, firing past Baumann from close range deep into stoppage time.
Hoffenheim travel to 1. FSV Mainz 05 on matchday five whilst Skrypnyk and his Bremen men welcome Bundesliga new boys FC Ingolstadt 04 to the Weserstadion.