Hannover make strong start 
Head coach Tafun Korkut made his team press the opposition when not in possession in the first few minutes and it seemed as if Zwolle weren’t ready for it, and the 96 exhibited some delightful interplay in the lead-up to the box. The first noteworthy chance arrived in the seventh minute when Leo Bittencourt whipped the ball into the box, and appeared to strike the hand of Zwolle-defender Broerse. However, the referee let play continue. Bittencourt was at the forefront of the action again two minutes later. He was felled by his opponent just before crossing the ball. Christian Pander crossed the resulting free-kick into the six-yard box, which no one wanted to get the end of. Joselu reacted quickest at the back post and struck the ball past the Zwolle-keeper into the far corner.


The Reds celebrate after Joselu hands them the lead

Zwolle counter 96
But the Reds weren’t to hold onto the lead for long. The equalizer came for the Dutch Cup winners through their first real chance of the game. Midfielder Mustafa Saymak won a challenge against Felipe and kept his cool when one-on-one with Königsmann. The goal came as a surprise for both the fans and both managers. The 96 gradually recovered from the shock and took control of the game yet again. Joselu came close to scoring his second in the 32nd minute. But again the referee was to rule against the Reds – offside this time.

The equalizer visibly spurred Zwolle on as they started to find their rhythm. Goalscorer Saymak failed to convert the ball past Königsmann for his second, but PEC diverted the ball into the net minutes later. Ben Rienstra found himself free on the edge of the box following a counter attack and shot from 20 metres out, and accurately planted the ball into the near corner to hand Zwolle the lead shortly before half-time.

Missed chances for 96
Korkut made two changes for the second half. Our Chilean Miiko Albornoz replaced Pander whilst Joselu made way for Artur Sobiech. But the course of the game barely altered. It was the Reds again, who created the first chances after the break. Leo Bittencourt played in Sobiech in the box in the 53rd minute, but Boer saw his effort and the Dutch keeper was able to prevent a second goal for Hannover with quick reactions. It was Bittencourt again four minutes later, who –in an almost identical manner to earlier – crossed the ball into the box from the right flank. Edgar Prib got on the end of it this time. Prib took the ball down at the far post with his chest, and shot, aiming for the far corner. But the PEC-keeper was on form again as he prevented the goal with his foot. Moments later Marcelo finally beat the opposing keeper after heading home from a corner, only to be blown up for a foul.


Captain Lars Stindl appeared in his new number 10 shirt for the first time

All players feature
The last 96-chance, rather fittingly, fell to Leonardo Bittencourt himself. After Karaman burst into the box, he exquisitely laid the ball back to Leo. The midfielder had a free shot on goal, eleven metres out, but could only hit the top of the crossbar. That could have been the equalizer. “It was great work from Karaman, and a shame to miss such a good opportunity”, commentated Korkut on this highlight after the game. The manager substituted the number six position shortly after the big chance in order to allow all his players to get some game time. Königsmann was the only player to remain on the pitch for the full ninety minutes. The numerous changes meant that neither team were able to create a chance of note in the final exchanges.

First goal against the stumbling block
96-manager Tayfun Korkut labelled PEC's goal as the biggest stumbling block. "We were the better team up until then. Then we lost our shape. We didn’t give the any other chances, but still lost.”

Statistics:

Hannover 96: Königsmann – Sakai (Rankovic 58’), Marcelo (Thesker 76’), Felipe (Anton 76’), Pander (Albornoz HT) – Schmiedebach (Pietler 76’), Andreasen (Hirsch 76’)– Bittencourt (Schlaudraff 76’), Stindl (Karaman 58’), Prib (Sulejmani 76’) – Joselu (Sobiech HT) 

PEC Zwolle: Boer – Van Polen, Sainsbury (Fernandes Pereira 80’), Broerse, Van Hintum – Saymak (Mahmudov 65’), Rienstra, Mokotjo (Dekker 76’), Karagkounis (Moro 80’) – Nijland (Ioannidis HT), Drost 

Goals: 1-0 Joselu (9’), 1-1 Saymak (26’), 1-2 Rienstra (43’) 
Yellow cards: Andreasen / - 
Attendance: 1,296