Is Hannover 96 under pressure without Halstenberg and Neumann?

Is Hannover 96 under pressure without Halstenberg and Neumann?

Hannover 96 recently suffered a defeat of 1: 2 in the friendly against Bundesliga club VfL Wolfsburg, whereby the team performed significantly. Four regular players were missing, which raises questions about the position for the upcoming league game against 1. FC Kaiserslautern, which will take place on Saturday at 1 p.m. The defensive in particular is currently facing major challenges.

In the encounter against Wolfsburg, those responsible, Ron-Robert Zieler and Havard Nielsen, both 35 and 31 years old, decided to spare them due to stress control. Nevertheless, a positive review of the week is hoped for, since both players are expected to be back on the pitch at the start of the training. However, the situation of Marcel Halstenberg (32) and Phil Neumann (27) is more uncertain because they both fight with injuries.

uncertainty in defense

coach Stefan Leitl faces a difficult challenge in view of the injury -related failures. He expressed the fear, not only about the result against Lautern, but also about the quality of training. "The training group should remain good," emphasized Leitl and made it clear that he is dependent on the availability of his central defenders in order to be able to implement the tactical work smoothly.

The situation is particularly tense, since Halstenberg had to leave the game early on in the game against HSV due to thigh problems. Although a cold was officially given as the reason for his absence against Düsseldorf, there are reports on a strain that has been downplayed so far. Leitl even expressed that Halstenberg could have played without the cold against Düsseldorf, but also withdrew him in the friendly against Wolfsburg. In the last training sessions, Halstenberg stayed away from the team.

Neumann took a complete training break last week due to a bruise on the sole of the foot. This injury was drawn in the defeat against Düsseldorf and also forces him to inactivity.

Instead of these two defenders, Josh Knight and Lukas Wallner were used in the friendly against Wolfsburg. Knight, 26 years old, and Wallner, just 21, are now also in the discussion when it comes to listing against Lautern, the status of the injured players does not improve. Your performance is crucial to close the gaps in the defense and ensure that the team remains competitive.

Leitl showed himself to follow the injuries by sounding optimistic, but also emphasizing that you have to live with uncertainties. "That does not mean that Lautern is at risk," he said, but the undertone of his voice showed that he secretly worried. As Hannover 96 will fill the defensive positions, it remains to be seen if the situation should not relax.

The upcoming challenge against Lautern could be a decisive course for the red this season. The condition of the injured players and the willingness of the substitute players will be decisive to reduce the pressure on the team and to catch up with the lost points in the league.