Wagefeld hits the bar

The Reds were without Edgar Prib, Lars Stindl and Jan Schlaudraff in the Erdgas-Sportpark after they joined Leo Bittencourt on the list of unavailable players. Hannover struggled to get into the game and only had their first chance in the 26th minute, though Szabolcs Huszti’s free kick went over the crossbar. Ten minutes later there were chances at the other end for Ron-Robert Zieler to deal with as a Maik Wagefeld free kick hit the underside of the bar and Kojola was denied on the rebound. 96 had a good opportunity to take the lead five minutes before the break but neither Diouf nor Sylejmani could turn the ball home.

Deciding goal comes late on

The fluidity was still lacking in the second half. Five changes meant that the Reds were now playing with a completely new back four. Leon Andreasen moved to right back, Christopher Avevor and Karim Haggui formed the central partnership and Sébastien Pocognoli played on the left. Artur Sobiech had the half’s first opportunity on the hour mark but was denied by HFC keeper Flückiger. That was followed by a long-range strike from Andreasen failing to hit the target. The game’s only goal finally arrived in the 85th minute from substitute Deniz Kadah who was put through by Manuel Schmiedebach. There were 3,000 fans watching the benefit match with the proceeds going to the recent flood victims. In terms of the football though, the Hannover staff and players know that there are some improvements to be made before the first competitive match of the season – the first round of the German Cup against Victoria Hamburg on Sunday. 

Hannover 96 (1st half): Zieler - Sakai, Sané, Schulz, Pander - Sylejmani, Andreasen, Schmiedebach, Huszti - Sobiech, Diouf

Hannover 96 (2nd half): Zieler - Andreasen, Avevor, Haggui, Pocognoli - Nikci, Hoffmann, Schmiedebach, Huszti (67. Dierßen) - Diouf (67’ Kadah), Sobiech (76’ Capin)

Goals: 0-1 Kadah (85’)
Attendance: 3,023