Funkel’s devil on the rise
Hannover 96 is weakening in the fight for promotion
March 16, 2024, 10:30 p.m
Under the direction of veteran coach Friedhelm Funkel, 1. FC Kaiserslautern remains undefeated for the third time in a row. The Red Devils also collect a point at Hannover 96. The hosts, on the other hand, are losing important points in the fight for promotion.
Hannover 96 is also weak in the chasing pack in the 2nd Bundesliga. Lower Saxony only managed a 1-1 (0-0) draw against relegation-threatened 1. FC Kaiserslautern on matchday 26. The gap to third place is initially three points after the fourth game in a row without a win – Hamburger SV wins on Sunday (1.30 p.m./Sky and in the live ticker at ntv.de) against Wehen Wiesbaden, there are four points.
The FCK with experienced coach Friedhelm Funkel remained undefeated for the third time in a row, but is only one point ahead of Hansa Rostock and the relegation relegation place. Kenny Prince Redondo (53rd) gave the guests the lead, Andreas Voglsammer (68th) equalized. To honor the championship team from 1954, which secured the title in the final against the highly favored FCK led by Fritz Walter, 96 wore a special dark green jersey. However, early on that evening, which was accompanied by plenty of pyrotechnics, it was clear that six goals would not be scored again like 70 years ago (5:1).
Lautern kept up well, but both teams lacked penetration. Hannover’s Nicolo Tresoldi scored in the 35th minute, but the U21 international was offside and the goal did not count. After the break, Lautern countered, Tobias Raschl’s precise pass was used by Redondo, who was free-standing in front of 2014 world champion Ron-Robert Zieler in the 96th goal. However, the lead only lasted a quarter of an hour, then Lautern keeper Julian Krahl sailed under a cross, Voglsammer stood at the far post and scored. In stoppage time, a shot from Raschl hit the crossbar, Ron-Robert Zieler was still there.