96 must rebound

The Nordderby ended in defeat for 96 as they lost 4-1 to Bremen at Weserstadion. The loss pulls Dieter Hecking's side too close for comfort in the relegation fight as they are now only three points above 'Gladbach with Hertha BSC and HSV over the next two weeks.

While the score-line was deceiving that is little consolation. As Dieter Hecking suggested in his pre-match press conference on 96 TV Christian Schulz took his position in the interior defense and through the opening stages of the match 96 kept Bremen under control. However with four minutes remaining in the half Bremen broke the deadlock as Diego found Claudio Pizarro, who then sent the ball from outside the box but took a high deflection off Christian Schulz and beyond Robert Enke's reach. The situation looked dire on the hour as Mesut Özil was awarded a penalty from a non-foul by Sergio Pinto. However Diego's attempt was saved by the captain and Pizarro's effort from the rebound danced wide. Pizzaro had a number of chances to score after but each time Robert Enke was up to the challenge. Finally nine minutes past the hour the match was even as Polish international Jacek Krzynówek sent a curling shot in from twenty metres. With only thirteen minutes remaining the quality defending unwound for Hannover with a difficult run of allowing three goals in the next seven minutes. Starting with a odd chip into the box that was headed back to Diego, who after being challenged managed to get enough contact before nearly colliding with Enke. In rapid fire fashion Diego's corner was headed on to Pizarro at the back post and into the net only three minutes later. With 96 pouring forward they were open to the counter and four minutes later Mesut Özil’s cross was sent in by Pizzaro from six metres for his third of the day.