Hannover extended their unbeaten streak under new head coach Daniel Stendel to two matches. Last week, the Reds drew against third-placed Hertha Berlin and the bottom-of-the-table side recorded a 2-0 home win over fifth-placed Borussia Mönchengladbach in the HDI-Arena this week. The victory was Hannover’s first home win since they beat Ingolstadt 4-0 on 28th November 2015. The defeat was Gladbach’s tenth away from home this season and another setback in their quest for Champions League football next season.
Hannover remain in 18th with 19 points despite the win while Gladbach stay fifth in the league with 45. Gladbach can be overtaken by Mainz and Schalke if either of them pick up points as they are currently only separated by goal difference. Schalke will face Bayern München on Saturday evening (18:30 CEST), while Mainz host FC Köln on Sunday (17:30 CEST).
Hannover’s youngsters rock Gladbach
From the first whistle Hannover didn’t hold back against Borussia. Youngsters Anton and Noah-Joel Sarenren-Bazee created the first chance for the Reds in the seventh minute. After good play from Anton, Sarenren-Bazee found himself with just Gladbach goalkeeper Yann Sommer to beat, but he was denied by the woodwork. It wouldn’t have counted anyway though as the linesman’s flag was raised for offside.
Borussia were constantly frustrated by Hannover’s aggressive pressing game and energy but found a way through the Hannover defence in the 28th minute, but Ron-Robert Zieler denied Fabian Johnson with a smart reflex save after he had latched onto Raffael’s pass. Raffael was to almost turn creator again shortly after with a clever ball to Thorgan Hazard, but the Hannover goalkeeper was quick off his line to beat the Gladbach man to the pass.
Hannover had another opportunity just before the break as a cross from Sobiech found Sarenren-Bazee but Sommer was equal to his effort. The Reds persisted and the ball fell to Srenren-Bazee again but Sommer came out on top for the second time.
Raced out of the blocks second half
Hannover increased the pressure on the visitors after the restart and deserved to take the lead. Sarenren-Bazee found a way past Andreas Christiensen on the right-wing and crossed the ball to Anton, who finished into the bottom corner. The goal lifted the Reds and Sommer found himself with plenty to do for Gladbach. The Switzerland international saved well from a fierce Kenan Karaman shot from 17 yards, but he was unable to do anything about the second goal shortly after. Another Karaman effort came back off the post and Sobiech was the quickest to react, putting the ball into the back of the net.
Gladbach didn’t give up, and kept pushing forward in search of a way back into the match. Ultimately however, it was the hosts who looked more likely to score, a Albornoz free kick in the 81st minute drawing a good save from Sommer.