2. Bundesliga: Hartel and Thórdarson secure important Hannover victory

Stefán Teitur Thórdarson and Marcel Hartel put Hannover in control during the first half, before Tom Meyer gave Bochum hope with 13 minutes of normal time remaining. However, the visitors were unable to find a second goal as Hannover held on for three valuable points.

The result came in Lars Barlemann’s only game in interim charge following the dismissal of Christian Titz, with new head coach Sandro Wagner set to take over after the international break.

Bochum started brightly at the Heinz von Heiden Arena and came close to opening the scoring inside the first five minutes. Christian Rasmussen drove into the box from the right before firing towards the near post, but Leo Weinkauf was alert to keep out the effort.

The visitors continued to threaten, with Tom Meyer also testing Weinkauf from distance and Gerrit Holtmann coming within inches of breaking the deadlock in the 16th minute. Holtmann’s effort took a deflection off Bastian Allgeier and struck the post with Weinkauf beaten.

Hannover gradually grew into the contest and created a major opportunity of their own shortly afterwards. Kolja Oudenne was denied by Timo Horn at the near post before Lars Gindorf’s follow-up was cleared off the line by Michael Steinwender.

The hosts then made their pressure count in the 24th minute. Franz Roggow won possession and provided the assist for Thórdarson, who finished from close range to give Hannover a 1-0 lead. 

Bochum looked for a response, but Hannover remained dangerous and doubled their advantage just before half-time. In the 43rd minute, Oudenne supplied Marcel Hartel, who found the back of the net to send the hosts into the interval with a commanding 2-0 lead.

Uwe Rösler responded by introducing Jarne Steuckers and Berkan Taz in the 61st minute, with Bochum needing a goal to get themselves back into the contest.

That breakthrough eventually arrived in the 77th minute. Tom Meyer reduced the deficit to 2-1, setting up a tense final period at the Heinz von Heiden Arena. 

Bochum pushed forward in search of an equaliser, but Hannover’s defence stood firm. Barlemann made changes of his own during the closing stages, bringing on Benedikt Pichler and later Emir Sahiti and Ime Okon as Hannover looked to protect their advantage.

The final whistle confirmed a valuable 2-1 victory for the hosts.

The three points move Hannover onto seven points from their opening six matches, while Bochum remain on seven points. Hannover’s victory also maintains the unusual record between these sides in the 2. Bundesliga: the away team had never won any of their previous 16 meetings in the competition.