Two changes for the Reds.

“Leave with our heads held high,” was the message ahead of the match and the team definitely did that despite the 3-1 scoreline. While Lewandowski and Götze’s goals lead to a Hannover defeat, for large parts of the game the Reds played courageously and can take many positives as they slide down into the 2. Bundesliga. Hannover went into the match with two changes to the team that won the last home match of the season 1-0 against TSG Hoffenheim last week. Both Hiroshi Kiyotake (muscular problems) and Joel Sarenren Bazee, who picked up a groin injury shortly before kick-off, made way for Edgar Prib and Valmir Sulejmani. Bayern rotated their team with Medhi Banatia, Arturo Vidal, Mario Götze and Kingsley Coman replacing Javier Martinez, Xabi Alonso, Douglas Costa and Thomas Müller. 

Hannover courageous but without any luck

As in past weeks, the Reds looked to start on the front foot and didn’t allow Bayern to settle into their dreaded passing game straight away, with Klaus firing a warning shot wide of goal from 25 yards in the first minute. The record champions soon showed their class as Thiago won back possession and played Coman through on the right of the penalty area. He looked to find Götze with a ball across the box but Anton cleared, unfortunately, only to the feet of Lewandowski, whose ice-cold finish from twelve yards out put the hosts 1-0 up. Bayern began to pile on the pressure after the opener, with an attempt from Franck Ribery and Götze’s solo effort forcing Ron-Robert Zieler into action. Despite the pressure, the 96ers managed to hit back with chances of their own. Klaus hit the ball sweetly from the edge of the hosts’ box and Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer could only parry the ball straight back out to Iver Fossum who was standing by. However, the Norwegian couldn’t manage to steer the ball into the back of the net from a promising position. Only four minutes later, Stendel’s team countered after Sulejmani picked up the ball from an FCB corner. The 20-year-old could have played in Klaus who was in a good position but he made the wrong decision 30 yards out and the opportunity was gone. Bayern were unimpressed and replied with their second as Götze dribbled in from the right hand side and lobbed the ball over a helpless Zieler. FCB pushed for a third with Lewandowski hitting straight at Zieler and Coman rattling the woodwork. Hannover weren’t out of it though and were dangerous once again towards the end of the first half from an Albornoz free-kick that found Anton unmarked in the middle of the penalty area. His effort was just off target though. The teams went into the break with the score at 2-0.  

STATISTICS