Hannover 96 and VfL Bochum shared the spoils in the opening encounter of matchday 13, a result that leaves both sides still hovering just above the relegation zone.
It was a game to forget for home and guest goalkeepers alike. Bochum's Daniel Fernandes fisted clearance from a 62nd-minute corner dropped perfectly for Jan Schlaudraff to belt Hannover 1-0 in front. Three minutes later his opposite number, Florian Fromlowitz, directed a cross from Paul Freier into his own net and the sides were level again.
“All going wrong”
“We didn't play well. We were far too passive in the first half . We started better after the break and went in front. There's no point in even talking about the equaliser. At the moment it's all just going wrong”, 96ers coach Dieter Hecking summarised at the end.
VfL are now without a win in nine, but can count themselves a trifle unfortunate not to have ended that run here. Their fourth away draw of the season did at least get them out of the bottom three, until end of play on Saturday at any rate.
Fahrenhorst off early
Both teams went on the offensive from the start, with Bochum clearly undaunted by their long winless streak. Hannover's less-than-solid defence was further weakened when Frank Fahrenhorst had to go off after just 18 minutes with a bad cut on his thigh.
The home side had good early chances through Mikael Forssell (10.) and Christian Schulz (12.), but after that it was Bochum who increasingly set the tone. Former 96er Vahid Hashemian squandered their best first-half chance in the 33rd minute, failing to find a way past Fromlowitz with a free shot 12 metres out.
Surprise lead
Early in the second half, Schlaudraff fired over from the same distance for Hannover.
VfL continued to impress, particularly in midfield, but it was the home side who eventually went in front. After being gifted an equaliser almost immediately, it was the visitors who thereafter came closer to grabbing a winner.
The best pictures from matchday 13!
Goalless in Hanover
Hanover keeper suspended
Hanover bottom after VfB defeat