Because Ingolstadt were a lot more adventurous than in previous games, VfB soon had their own chances; the best falling to Timo Werner, whose shot parried of keeper Ramazan Özcan’s chest. Stuttgart’s tactic, to trouble Ingolstadt down the wings, was too seldom enforced.
Didavi with the winner
Ingolstadt kept things tight in the middle for large spells of the match and VfB playmaker Didavi was barely able to make an impact. At least until Klein was afforded too much space to fire a low shot from the edge of the box, with Didavi waiting in the six-yard box to guide it into the back of the net.
Ingolstadt pushed forward with courage, forcing VfB back into their own half. Pascal Groß had the chance to equalise, but as in the first half, Tyton was there to keep his side from conceding.
A strong performance by Ron-Robert Zieler helped Hannover 96 to a 1-0 victory at 1. FC Köln on Bundesliga matchday 9. The Germany international made several key saves while Leon Andreasen's first-half strike was enough for the visitors to claim the win. For Köln this was the first home defeat in over ten months.
The goal that secured Hannover second straight league win was quite controversial, after Andreasen appeared to use his arm to score from close range. Unlike most of the 48,000 spectators, referee Bastian Dankert and his assistants failed to notice this and allowed the goal to stand.
Köln fail to score past Zieler
After a slow start to the game, it was the hosts who managed to assert themselves as former Hannover player Leonardo Bittencourt fired wide with a volleyed attempt after twelve minutes. Just 60 seconds later Anthony Modeste was off target with Köln starting to create more chances.
The Billy Goats continued to apply pressure down the left wing, where Germany international Jonas Hector ke pt making charges forward. It was during this phase of Köln pressure that Hannover scored the dubious opener. Christian Schulz knocked down a Hiroshi Kiyotake corner, before Andreasen forced it across the line.
There was an intense atmosphere on the pitch in the second half: the hosts were now becoming frustrated and struggled to find a way through Hannover's well-organised defence. Whenever they did manage to find a breakthrough, Hannover could able to rely on Zieler to save the day with several spectacular saves against Modeste and Jojic. Köln pressurised right until the end of the match, but Hannover's defence held firm.
Stuttgart off the bottom of the table
In the evening kick-off, Alexander Zorniger’s VfB Stuttgart were also celebrating a win, after edging past FC Ingolstadt thanks to a Daniel Didavi goal in the second half. After four defeats, it was the first home win for Stuttgart under Zorniger.
The win against the newly promoted side, who were yet to lose away from home, took VfB off the bottom of the table and into 15th place. Goalkeeper Tyton was the hero in the opening stages, after he saves a poorly taken Mathew Leckie penalty in the 4th minute. It was a nervy final five minutes, after Stuttgart’s Serey Dié saw red for a second bookable offence.
Stuttgart revitalised once more
In front of 45,700 spectators as the Mercedes Benz Arena, nobody could deny that the effort put in by the Stuttgart team. Zorniger’s XI, who were without captain Christian Gentner, Daniel Ginczek and Filip Kostic, were hungry and didn’t shy out of any challenges. After an unnecessary foul from Martin Harnik on Benjamin Hübner, they were on the brink of going behind early on, but for Leckie’s missed penalty.
Because Ingolstadt were a lot more adventurous than in previous games, VfB soon had their own chances; the best falling to Timo Werner, whose shot parried of keeper Ramazan Özcan’s chest. Stuttgart’s tactic, to trouble Ingolstadt down the wings, was too seldom enforced.
Didavi with the winner
Ingolstadt kept things tight in the middle for large spells of the match and VfB playmaker Didavi was barely able to make an impact. At least until Klein was afforded too much space to fire a low shot from the edge of the box, with Didavi waiting in the six-yard box to guide it into the back of the net.
Ingolstadt pushed forward with courage, forcing VfB back into their own half. Pascal Groß had the chance to equalise, but as in the first half, Tyton was there to keep his side from conceding.
