Hannover 96 and Hertha BSC struggle in vain

In the 2nd Bundesliga, Hannover 96 and Hertha BSC fought an intense battle with two expulsions. In the end there was a draw.

In the 0-0 draw at Hannover on Sunday, Fabian Kunze was sent off with a yellow-red card (57th), the Lower Saxony team were outnumbered for a good 30 minutes. Shortly before the end of regular time, Hertha’s Marton Dardai (89th) also had to take an early shower with yellow and red.

Christian Fiel feels support

Hertha coach Christian Fiel was annoyed afterwards at the sports show microphone, “That we were in the phase where we had the majority, which we would have liked to have had earlier, but unfortunately we couldn’t use it”. Fell said: “Now it’s about clearing our heads and celebrating Christmas with the families. And then we have to change one or two things because we want to win more games.”

Fiel, who spent the winter in twelfth place with Hertha BSC and only got one win from the last seven competitive games, also said he was leaving “Stand now” assumes that he will also be on the coaching bench in the second half of the season. He feels the support “from those who are very close to the team”.

His counterpart Stefan Leitl struggled with Kunze’s sending off: “Until the yellow-red card, we were the better team and had two top-class chances to score, which we had to take advantage of to take the lead. After the yellow-red card, we defended well and didn’t allow much. Overall, a decent performance.”

Fightful start with few chances

Hertha got into the game a little better than the home team. Berlin was a little more active in the opening minutes, but did not create any promising scoring chances in the attacking third. A blocked shot by Jonjoe Kenny was the highest of emotions (13th).

Hannover also got into the game – and had the best opportunity of the first half. Nicolo Tresoldi clapped for Sei Muroya, who fired his shot just over the goal in the penalty area (19′). It developed into a combative, but at times quite attractive game. Hannover had a slight increase in chances and managed at least four deals.

Niederlechner has to go down injured

All three of Berlin’s attempts were thanks to the busy left winger Derry Scherhant. Smail Prevljak, who had to replace Florian Niederlechner as center forward after just under 30 minutes due to injury (29th), remained pale at first.

So it happened that Hanover goalkeeper Ron-Robert Zieler didn’t have to save a single shot in the first half.

Yellow-red for Kunze: Zieler keeps H96 in the game

That changed after the break. Hertha BSC started ambitiously. The 19-year-old Hertha talent Ibrahim Maza showed a strong dribble almost 30 seconds later and shot in front of the box – the shot just missed the goal (46th).

Hannover then suffered an effective hit before the hour mark. Kunze, who had already been warned, saw yellow and red because he extended his forearm in a duel with Prevljak and hit the Berliner in the head. Kunze initially complained, but it was an understandable decision by referee Daniel Schlager.

After that, H96 still had over 30 minutes to go outnumbered. And inevitably goalkeeper Zieler came into focus. He kept his Hanoverians in the game with several saves. Scherhant tested Zieler with a powerful shot in the penalty area (63′), Pascal Klemens with a header (64′).

Misunderstanding? Dardai was later sent off

But not much happened in terms of play after that. Instead, there was another exciting scene very late: Dardai also saw yellow and red. The impression of a misunderstanding emerged.

Dardai seemed to be upset about his teammate Michal Karbownik’s foul, not about referee Schlager’s whistle. However, he interpreted Dardai’s excitement as a reaction to the whistle and sent him off the field with a yellow-red for complaining.

Hanover has to go to Regensburg

After the winter break, Hannover 96 will be visiting Regensburg on matchday 18 (January 17th, 6:30 p.m.). Hertha BSC travels to SC Paderborn (January 19th, 1:30 p.m.).