Bundesliga
Bundesliga
20.11.2009 16:29:06
Jiri Stajner's last minute penalty on match day 12 was enough for Hannover to secure a point from their clash with Hamburg.
In memory of Enke
Hannover 96 return to the field for the first time since the tragic death of Robert Enke last week as they travel to fourth place Schalke in what is likely to be an tough match both physically and emotionally.
Despite the shattering news the football continues and the visitors will use matchday 13 as their personal tribute to their team mate and friend. In Schalke they face a difficult task and the guests themselves hope to maintain their place in the top four and keep within sight of Bayer Leverkusen at the top.
Ups and downs
Hannover come into the game on Saturday in some sort of good form and a 2-2 draw against third placed Hamburg at home will undoubtedly increase the confidence levels at the North German club. Two wins before that against struggling Stuttgart and Köln have seen Andreas Bergmann's side pick up seven points from a possible nine in their last three games. However, the reds' consistency throughout the season is questionable and is reflected in their ninth place in the Bundesliga, something Bergmann will be keen to address.
Florian Fromlowitz has the unenviable task of stepping into Robert Enke's shoes on Saturday afternoon. It will undoubtedly be an emotional day for the reserve keeper, who has already played a number of Bundesliga games so far this season. There is also a question mark over Cherundolo who is suffering from an injured knee.
Pressure from fourth
In their last three Bundesliga games Schalke have managed three draws against three of the biggest sides in the league: Bayern Munich, Bayer Leverkusen and Hamburg. Having come through their most difficult run of fixtures Felix Magath will be looking to get back to winning ways.
Magath is forced to make a single change to the side that drew with Bayern two weeks ago as Rakitic is expected to replace Holtby in attacking midfield.
A win for Schalke would see them move to within just a single point of the league leaders Bayer Leverkusen as well as keeping the pressure on the sides around them, in particular Werder and Hamburg who play on Saturday and Sunday respectively.
Likely line-ups
Schalke: Neuer - Rafinha, Höwedes, Bordon, Westermann - Matip - Moritz, Schmitz - Rakitic - Farfan, Kuranyi
Hannover: Fromlowitz - Cherundolo, Haggui, C. Schulz, Djakpa - Balitsch - Pinto, Rosenthal - Bruggink - Stajner, Ya Konan
Vince Hughes
Ups and downs
Hannover come into the game on Saturday in some sort of good form and a 2-2 draw against third placed Hamburg at home will undoubtedly increase the confidence levels at the North German club. Two wins before that against struggling Stuttgart and Köln have seen Andreas Bergmann's side pick up seven points from a possible nine in their last three games. However, the reds' consistency throughout the season is questionable and is reflected in their ninth place in the Bundesliga, something Bergmann will be keen to address.
Florian Fromlowitz has the unenviable task of stepping into Robert Enke's shoes on Saturday afternoon. It will undoubtedly be an emotional day for the reserve keeper, who has already played a number of Bundesliga games so far this season. There is also a question mark over Cherundolo who is suffering from an injured knee.
Pressure from fourth
In their last three Bundesliga games Schalke have managed three draws against three of the biggest sides in the league: Bayern Munich, Bayer Leverkusen and Hamburg. Having come through their most difficult run of fixtures Felix Magath will be looking to get back to winning ways.
Magath is forced to make a single change to the side that drew with Bayern two weeks ago as Rakitic is expected to replace Holtby in attacking midfield.
A win for Schalke would see them move to within just a single point of the league leaders Bayer Leverkusen as well as keeping the pressure on the sides around them, in particular Werder and Hamburg who play on Saturday and Sunday respectively.
Likely line-ups
Schalke: Neuer - Rafinha, Höwedes, Bordon, Westermann - Matip - Moritz, Schmitz - Rakitic - Farfan, Kuranyi
Hannover: Fromlowitz - Cherundolo, Haggui, C. Schulz, Djakpa - Balitsch - Pinto, Rosenthal - Bruggink - Stajner, Ya Konan
Vince Hughes
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