Back to 4-4-2

Difficult conditions in the SchücoArena did not prevent Hannover 96 from securing a positive result in their last test match before the restart of the season next weekend. Heavy snowfalls resulted in a slippery pitch and in a sparsely visited stadium, as only 1,200 supporters opted to brave the weather. The team of Andi Bergmann returned to the tried and tested 4-4-2 formation, giving the Reds more stability. Leon Andreasen was back on the pitch, gathering some match practice after his long injury. The attacking duo's were Didier Ya Konan and Jan Schlaudraff in the first, and Mike Hanke and Jiri Stajner in the second half.

Schlaudraff and Bruggink unlucky

Both teams needed twenty minutes to get used to the difficult conditions and Hannover were the first to invest more into their offensive attempts. Schlaudraff fired a shot on target from just outside the box in the 21^st minute, but the strike missed the post just barely. Bergmann's team was well organised and hence only allowed very few opportunities for Bielefeld. The Reds on the other hand created a number of good chances. In the 36^th minute, Bruggink's close range attempt merely hit the woodwork. The Bundesliga outfit should have been in the lead at half time.

Schulz scores deserved lead

Hannover took the lead in the second half, when Bruggink's corner kick in the 53^rd minute was extended by Eggimann and eventually met by Christian Schulz at the far post, who had no troubles to blast the ball into the back of the net from close range. The 2.Bundesliga side did increase the pressure following Hannover's lead but keeper Fromlowitz was never really forced to show his true class. Pinto had a great opportunity to double the lead in the 63^rd minute but was denied by Bielefeld keeper Fernandez. Hannover 96 managed to defend their slim lead until full time, without ever running in danger of conceding a goal.

Bergmann praises "disciplined teamwork"

Hannover managed to rehabilitate against Bielefeld after the disappointing 2-1 defeat against Union Berlin. With a lot of courage and a disciplined teamwork display, the team of Bergmann managed to collect vital confidence ahead of the restart to the Bundesliga against Hertha BSC Berlin next weekend. 96-coach Andi Bergmann was satisfied with his teams performance: "We managed to defend well and stood very organised in the back, but we failed to use our chances clinically once more. Overall however, it was a good team performance and an important step in the right direction."

Arminia Bielefeld: Dennis Eilhoff (45' Rowen Fernandez) - Markus Schuler, Markus Bollmann (69' Maik Rodenberg), Andre Mijatovic, Nils Fischer - Rüdiger Kauf, Kasper Risgard (45' Kevin Kerr), Jonas Kamper, Daniel Halfar (45' Arne Feick), Franck Manga Guela - Pavel Fort (45' Besart Berisha)

Hannover 96:  Florian Fromlowitz - Steven Cherundolo, Mario Eggimann, Christian Schulz, Konstantin Rausch (45' Valdet Rama) - Leon Andreasen (45' Sofian Chahed), Sergio Pinto (66' Manuel Schmiedebach), Constant Djakpa, Arnold Bruggink - Didier Ya Konan (45' Mike Hanke), Jan Schlaudraff (45' Jiri Stajner)

Goals: 0:1 Schulz (53')

Yellow cards: - / Pinto

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