BREMEN, Germany -- Jadon Sancho's carefree attitude helps Borussia Dortmund play better football, Julian Weigl said after a 1-1 draw away to Werder Bremen.
The Black and Yellows missed the chance to clinch second place on Sunday night after Schalke 04 dropped points on Saturday and failed to put a six-point gap to fifth-placed Bayer Leverkusen, which would have all but ensured Champions League qualification for the 2018-19 campaign.
Marco Reus had brought the guests in front after 18 minutes, lashing onto a rebound in the box but Bremen equalised shortly before half-time. In the 44th minute, Thomas Delaney headed a loose ball into the open net.
The Ruhr Side were in full control after the break with Reus and substitute Andre Schurrle being at the end of two scoring chances. They were, however, denied by an excellent Bremen keeper in Jiri Pavlenka and the goal frame.
"Of course, it's a bit annoying that we didn't win after having so many chances," Weigl, 22, told reporters after the game, adding: "Overall, it was a very attractive game with chances on both ends. But we knew that Bremen would fatigue at some point in the second half because they invested a lot in the first 45 minutes.
"They put in a lot of effort to fill the gaps but we knew that spaces would open up eventually if we just kept moving their chains. Our match plan worked just as we had anticipated but unfortunately, we were thwarted by a goalkeeper who had an excellent day."
Asked why Dortmund have been playing more cohesive, free-flowing football in their past two games than in most parts of a stingy season, Weigl explained: "Currently, we're set up very offensively, which obviously means that we concede some chances every now and then because our attackers will be attacking-minded in some situations.
"I also think that Jadon Sancho's insouciance helps us quite a bit because he doesn't worry but just plays football. We should keep that going."
After scoring his debut goal last week in a 4-0 win over Leverkusen, Sancho once again impressed in a consecutive start in Bremen. In the final 30 minutes, the 18-year-old Englishman provided three key passes, of which two led to glaring scoring chances for Reus and Schurrle.
Centre-back Manuel Akanji, who was installed as left-back in the past two games against Leverkusen and Bremen for the weak Marcel Schmelzer said about his newfound partnership with Sancho on BVB's left side: "Jadon and I understand each other well off the pitch, which makes it easier on the pitch.
"We get along well. We joke around a lot throughout the week but on gameday, we are determined to win and try to help each other."
With two games left, Dortmund sit in third-place with a four-point gap over Leverkusen. With a home win against Mainz next week, Peter Stoger's men would ensure Champions League qualification for the coming season.