So it won’t work in the Bundesliga: Hannover 96 and Fortuna Düsseldorf ended in a draw in the duel in the second division. At 2:2 (0:2) on Saturday (March 2nd, 2024), everything looked like an away win.
Christos Tzolis (11th, 18th minute) gave Düsseldorf the lead with a brace, but because the guests then focused too much on managing their lead, Hannover were able to hit back.
Andreas Voglsammer (63rd) and Cedric Teuchert (86th) scored the goals. As a result, both remain in the chasing position, but missed the chance to make up significant ground.
To the live ticker: Hannover – Düsseldorf Arrow right 24th matchday Arrow right
Fortunas Tzolis increases his own goal tally to 13
The hosts started very well and dominated most of the first 30 minutes of the game. But: Düsseldorf still struck twice during this time – once somewhat fortunately and once through a brilliant team performance. Both times with Tzolis as enforcer.
The loanee from Norwich City initially benefited from Yannik Dehm deflecting his shot into his own goal to make it 1-0 (11th). Seven minutes later, Tzolis scored his 13th goal of the season. After a great move in which Düsseldorf covered the entire pitch over five stations in just a few seconds, he once again gave Ron-Robert Zieler no chance (18th).
Otherwise, Hannover had more of the game, but only posed danger from corner kicks. First, Marcel Halstenberg’s side kick was blocked at the last moment after such a standard situation (14′). On the second occasion, Florian Kastenmeier strongly defended a dropkick from Sebastian Ernst (21st). Furthermore, Düsseldorf had little trouble defending its lead.
Voglsammer creates excitement, Teuchert wins points
It wasn’t until the second half that Hannover created any chances from the game. But both Kolja Oudenne from close range and Enzo Leopold were denied by Kastenmeier (62′). But after a corner they were able to defeat it. The Fortuna keeper initially fended off a header from Havard Nielsen. However, Kastenmaier was no longer able to prevent Andreas Voglsammer from scoring (63′).
Shortly afterwards, Kastenmeier was once again the savior in an emergency. After a Voglsammer cross, Nicolo Tresoldi had a free shot from a few meters, but didn’t get past the goalkeeper (68′). But Kastenmeier actually had to reach behind himself again – and Hannover celebrated winning a point. Teuchert, like Voglsammer as a substitute, tried from a distance and his shot was deflected unstoppably to make it 2-2 (86′).
“If you lead 2-0 away, then you can certainly take more with you,” said a disillusioned Fortuna coach Daniel Thioune at the Sportschau microphone. The only bright spot for Thioune was the accuracy of Sturm loanee Tzolis. “We saw again that he has an incredible amount of quality. But he probably would have preferred if he had scored one less in the end and we would have scored a third goal.”
Sportschau, March 2nd, 2024 3:01 p.m
Thioune’s counterpart Stefan Leitl had even more fun with his team’s comeback. Hanover’s coach spoke of a “really good second division game” – but the draw doesn’t bring the 96ers any closer to the promotion places either.
Düsseldorf against HSV, Hannover in Weehen Wiesbaden
On matchday 25, Fortuna Düsseldorf once again has a great chance to shorten the gap to the top places. Then third-placed Hamburger SV will be guests (March 8, 2024, 6:30 p.m.). Hannover 96 have to go to SV Wehen Wiesbaden a day later (1 p.m.).