Our captain returns

There were nine players unavailable for Mirko Slomka in the friendly against lower-league side Barsinghausen due to the international break. Because of that, Steven Cherundolo had the chance to make his first appearance of the season. The 96-captain managed 45 minutes, his first playing time since his knee operation this summer. When the referee pointed the spot in the 41st minute, the American insisted on taking the resulting penalty. Stevie’s comeback was certainly the focal point of the evening for both the management and the players. “As the captain, he is very important for the team. He got through the game well and put in a solid performance,” said assistant manager Nestor El Maestro.

Barsinghausen take a surprise lead

As expected, there were plenty of goals in the game – a total of ten in the first half alone. The first one was a surprise however, with TSV Barsinghausen taking the lead in the third minute. Marcel Dunsing took his chance from a free kick, heading in from a tight angle. The hosts may have gone in front, but Slomka’s men went straight up the other end in search of a response. Adrian Nikci grabbed an equaliser just six minutes later, with more goals following from Deniz Kadah (2), Edgar Prib (2), Lars Stindl (2), Steven Cherundolo’s penalty and another Nikci strike. The Bundesliga outfit went into the break 9-1 in front.

Impressive display from youngster

It was the youngsters’ chance in the second half. Tim Dierßen (U23s) had already been playing from the first half and continued to look dangerous in and around the box. Slomka also brought in Florian Ballas, Christopher Avevor and Valmir Sulejmani (U19) for Cherundolo, Marcelo and Stindl. The young Reds carried on the attacking intent, with Sulejmani making it 10-1 just minutes into the second half. One goal wasn’t enough for the 17-year-old, as he grabbed another three before full time to finish the game and the top scorer. “It’s very gratifying to be able to draw on such great young talents,” said El Maestro. A further U19 player joined the action in the 59th minute in the form of Darius Marotzke, brought on for Franca who picked up an ankle injury. The remaining goals were provided by Nicki, Prib and Kadah, with Hannover running out 16-1 winners.

Hannover 96: Miller - Cherundolo (46' Avevor), Marcelo (46' Ballas), Schulz, Prib - Franca (59' Marotzke), Stindl (46' Sülejmani), Schmiedebach, Nikci - Dierßen, Kadah

Goals: 0-1 Dunsing (3') 1-1 Nikci (6'), 2-1 Kadah (12'), 3-1 Kadah (16'), 4-1 Prib (19'), 5-1 Nikci (21'), 6-1 Prib (34'), 7-1 Stindl (37'), 8-1 Cherundolo (41' pen.), 9-1 Stindl (43'), 10-1 Sülejmani (47'), 11-1 Nikci (48'), 12-1 Prib (68'), 13-1 Sülejmani (75'), 14-1 Sülejmani (77'), 15-1 Kadah (80'), 16-1 Sülejmani (85')

Attendance: 1,780