Bundesliga 2 - Leitl: "We need to get back on track"
After three games without a win, Hannover 96 are fighting to stay in touch with the top places in the Bundesliga 2. Coach Stefan Leitl 's team therefore urgently need to score in their home game against Karlsruher SC on Friday (18:30/Sky). "It's very difficult to beat us," said Leitl at the matchday press conference on Thursday. "Nevertheless, we feel we haven't scored enough points because we are convinced that we can do more," he added, referring to the last three games.
After all, the team from Lower Saxony drew 0-0 at league leaders FC St. Pauli. They drew 2:2 against relegated Hertha BSC from Berlin, who have been relegated again. Most recently, Hannover were beaten 1:0 at SC Paderborn in the last minute - albeit more than 70 minutes short-handed.
"Now we have to get back on track and win a home game," said Leitl. "The season is still so long and there are still so many points up for grabs." Collecting points in order to cement their place at the top - "that's the task for tomorrow's game". It is also the last home game before the winter break. "And we want to give our spectators a proper send-off," said Leitl.
Cedric Teuchert will still not be able to help out. The most successful 96 player with eight goals has been suffering from a thigh injury since the beginning of November. Coach Leitl no longer expects his center forward to play this year. He hopes that Teuchert will be able to return in preparation for the second half of the season in January.
Following his red card in Paderborn and his two-match ban, Louis Schaub will not be available for the last game of the year at Holstein Kiel, apart from against KSC.
With Karlsruher SC, Lars Stindl (35), a player with a great 96 past, is also coming to Hannover. The former international played for the club from 2010 to 2015 and was captain for a long time before moving to Borussia Mönchengladbach. Before this season, the midfielder returned to his native KSC.
"For me, he is one of the outstanding players in this league," said Leitl, drawing a comparison to Marcel Halstenberg, who made a surprise move to Hannover from Bundesliga club RB Leipzig. It was an absolute stroke of luck for KSC that a player like Stindl was available for a second division club "- just like Marcel Halstenberg for us".
Hannover 96 squad Hannover 96 fixtures Hannover 96 table
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- Despite their recent struggles, Hannover 96 coach Stefan Leitl is confident that his team can still compete in the Bundesliga 2, particularly with key players like Cedric Teuchert expected to return in January.
- In the lower division, teams like SC Paderborn and Hertha BSC Berlin are also fighting for positions, having faced challenges themselves in their respective matches against Hannover and FC St. Pauli.
- Meanwhile, Lower Saxony-based Hannover will host Karlsruher SC on Friday, aiming to secure their first home win since their loss to Paderborn in the last minute.
- Cedric Teuchert, Hannover's top scorer with eight goals, has been sidelined due to a thigh injury since early November, leaving Stefan Leitl and his team searching for alternative scoring options.
- Coach Leitl has praised Karlsruher SC's midfielder Lars Stindl, a former captain of Hannover, as one of the standout players in the 2. Bundesliga, expressing delight over the midfielder's return to the KSC team.
- With Louis Schaub serving a two-match ban, Hannover's options may be limited in the upcoming game against Holstein Kiel; however, their focus remains on performing well and securing victories to maintain their position in the standings.
- SC Paderborn, another opponent Hannover has faced in recent games, are also having a challenging season, as evidenced by their own struggles in the Bundesliga 2 and disappointing results against teams like Hertha BSC and Hannover 96.
- Despite the challenges, many teams, including Berlin's Hertha and Hannover, remain hopeful of climbing the rankings in the Bundesliga 2 first half, aiming to secure their place in the top tier for the second half of the season.
Source: www.stern.de
