FC Schalke 04 - Hannover 96

This was the equalizer in first match for H96 (FT 2-2)

Winter break is over and after some weeks without any Football in Germany we have 1.BL back for this weekend. But since some days it is snowing in Germany and a lot of snow is coming down and maybe affect the matches. Maybe some of the home teams have to clean their field from snow but it is also very cold so the pitch is frozen and the underground very hard. It would be interesting to see how it is possible for the teams to bring their style of play on the pitch. Maybe some problems for some of the teams and also the fighting ones gets some advantage.

The opening match are played at Veltins Arena between FC Schalke 04 and Hannover 96 where both fight for an international starting place next season. A lot of trouble at Schalke at the end of last year where they sucked coach Stevens and youth coach Keller took over. The situations looked very bad and with this step they want to solve some above all to stay in Cup but they failed against Mainz and therefore Manager Heldt did not the right thing maybe. I am not very convinced about their new man on the line. Keller was BL player for some team and also coached VfB Stuttgart some years ago but he was sucked after 2 month according to less success. He made his last match against Hannover 1-2 and begins against Hannover, a bit funny anyway. I think this job is not as easy as he means. A lot of problems there and also he needs success immediately but I do not think that he reach his team so far. If this continues I expect a fast change on the line again. The preparation showed that the problems from last year are not solved moreover they are there and maybe a bit bigger. They looked very bad in some of their friendlies as they lost huge against Bayern Munich 0-5 and some others. As some of their starters are not available (like Top striker Huntelaar, MID fighter Jones, DEF chief Papadopoulos and fast MID Affelay) and therefore they lose a lot of their class they signed Raffael from Kiew on loan (former palyer from Hertha BSC) and search for more as well. A lot of work to do for manager Heldt, coach Keller and so on.

One of the weakest away teams of the first half of the season Hannover 96 wants to hurt Schalke. Former Schalke coach Slomka knows the situation well as he was also many years ago. He said if we can hold the match open as long as he can or maybe take the lead the supporters get angry and this should be an additional help for H96. Manager Schmadtke did a great job so far and bring some players to H96 at the break who gives Slomka much more options to choose from. The new players are some time there but as Slomka said he wants to count on most of the old guys as the new ones need some time to get better involved into their processes. Of course the strengthening was very important for H96 as they want to reach an international starting place again and also to solve the problems which important injured players let back. Midfielder Stindl are out longer and also Cherundolo has some problems where Sakai can play for him. But overall it is not comfirmed yet. Also Ya Konan is with Ivory and plays African Cup while new signing Franca, Schulz, Felipe and Stindl are no options for this match anyway.

Sure Hannover’s record is very weak in the past at Veltins Arena but with the problems from Schalke at the moment I think it would be very close and they have a chance here anyway. It is always a bit different after the break as no team knows at what level they are already. In this case I fancy the AHC line +1 as a very good offer. But decide of your own what you are preferring. I gave you a  lot of informations above for it. GL