Düsseldorf experiences a bitter false start: Hannover 96 celebrates a 2-0 win!

Düsseldorf experiences a bitter false start: Hannover 96 celebrates a 2-0 win!

The new season of the 2nd Bundesliga got off to anything but a happy start for Fortuna Düsseldorf. With a clear 0-2 defeat against Hannover 96 last Friday, the Rhinelanders will already be under pressure next week. Two games, zero points and the hope of licking wounds against 1. FC Schweinfurt in the DFB Cup on August 18th. But what really happened in the Merkur Spiel-Arena?

The game got off to a very bad start for Düsseldorf. With a disappointing 1:5 against Bielefeld already behind them, coach Daniel Thioune's team definitely wanted to score points against Hannover, who are already in the top group of the table after two wins. But things turned out differently. After a penalty that Boris Tomiak converted in the 65th minute, the game was decisive for Düsseldorf. Benjamin Källman increased the score to 2-0 in the 87th minute, and the discontent of his own fans, which grew until the 80th minute, was clearly noticeable. Overall, the team had too little creativity on offense, Cedric Itten and Co. were unable to assert themselves and missed numerous opportunities.

The second half: chances and whistles

In the second half it seemed as if Düsseldorf wanted more, but the execution left a lot to be desired. Although a goal by Benedikt Pichler was disallowed for offside after a VAR check, there was no real danger. For Düsseldorf there were few clear chances to score, while Hannover were more courageous offensively. Referee Wolfgang Haslberger didn't hold back with yellow cards, and there was even a total of eight minutes of added time.

“We didn’t do enough for the game ourselves,” Düsseldorf’s coach made it clear after the final whistle. In the first half, the team had more possession of the ball, but was unable to produce any dangerous shots. This already indicated that Hannover would gain the upper hand with more courageous play in the second half. Ultimately, this turned out to be true.

A look at the table

After the defeat, Düsseldorf is at the bottom of the table with 1:7 goals and zero points. Hannover, on the other hand, has already collected six points and is in a promising position. Fortuna fans have to hope that the coming games, including the DFB Cup game against Schweinfurt, will bring a turnaround. On August 23rd, SC Paderborn will be waiting for Düsseldorf, while Hannover will host Energie Cottbus in the cup on August 16th. The coming challenges will show whether the team under Thioune can still turn the tide.

All in all, it remains to be seen whether Düsseldorf will find the necessary turnaround to get out of the bottom of the table and remember their own demands. Hannover, on the other hand, not only celebrated their second victory under coach Christian Titz, but also consolidated their momentum in the new season with a clear 2-0.

It remains to be hoped for all fans that the next games will bring more joy and provide the opportunity for rehabilitation. One thing is clear: everything is still possible in the 2nd Bundesliga! Sports show, Kicker.