Hannover set some lofty goals for this season. But now in the 26th game day of the Bundesliga, coach Dieter Hecking's team is quite a ways from its dream of reaching the UEFA Cup. Hannover are just 13th...
Hannover set some lofty goals for this season. But now in the 26th game day of the Bundesliga, coach Dieter Hecking's team is quite a ways from its dream of reaching the UEFA Cup. Hannover are just 13th...
Hannover set some lofty goals for this season. But now in the 26th game day of the Bundesliga, coach Dieter Hecking's team is quite a ways from its dream of reaching the UEFA Cup. Hannover are just 13th in the league, with only a four-point cushion from a relegation spot. Instead of having Europe atop the agenda, it's avoiding the drop for the team from Lower Saxony. On Sunday, 5 April 2009 at 5 p.m., Hannover will be guests at the sold-out Weser-Stadion. The Reds hope to beat Werder in the North Derby and collect their first road victory of the season and give them even more room from the relegation ranks.
But a look at the statistics shows that the guests really should not be expecting too much. Bremen have won their last four home games against Hannover by at least three goals. Last season, Werder thrashed the guests 6-1 in Weser-Stadion. Those are however all just stats which will not help Bremen come Sunday. Head coach Thomas Schaaf suggested his player best not underestimate the guests. "They often played better than the results made one believe. We cannot talk them down. They will make us give our all. We have to stay very alert to be successful."
A help for Werder could be that Hannover coach Hecking will be missing a number of key players. Vinicius (rehab training after back surgery), Steven Cherundolo (hip), Jan Schlaudraff (groin surgery), Valerien Ismael (knee) and Gaetan Krebs (ankle) are all definitely out. And former Werder player Frank Fahrenhorst (training deficit after muscle tear) and Michael Tarnat (training deficit after bruised foot) are both question marks for the game. Werder coach Schaaf meanwhile could possibly have a full choice of players. Other than Daniel Jensen, who is questionable for Sunday with an Achilles tendon injury, all players are available for the North Derby.
