In a thrilling encounter at the Donaustadion, Hannover 96 secured a crucial 2:1 victory over SSV Ulm 1846, reigniting their hopes for promotion in the 2. Bundesliga. The match, played on May 3, 2025, drew a crowd of 17,200 fans, who witnessed a rollercoaster of emotions as both teams fought fiercely for vital points.
The game started with Hannover taking an early lead thanks to a bizarre own goal from Ulm's defender Tom Gaal in the 28th minute. After a clever pass from Taddel Momuluh to Hyunju Lee, Gaal inadvertently directed the ball into his own net, handing Hannover a 1:0 advantage. Despite the setback, Ulm showed resilience and continued to press forward.
Ulm's efforts paid off when Semir Telalovic equalized in the 51st minute, scoring his eleventh goal of the season. The forward received the ball unmarked from a corner and made no mistake, slotting it past Hannover's goalkeeper Ron-Robert Zieler, who had been a standout performer throughout the match.
However, the drama escalated in the second half when Hannover’s Josh Knight scored what would be the winning goal in the 67th minute. Knight, playing in place of the suspended Marcel Halstenberg, curled a beautiful shot into the far corner, putting Hannover back in front at 2:1. This goal came shortly after Knight was involved in a controversial moment that saw his teammate Boris Tomiak receive a red card for a foul on Aaron Keller, leading to a penalty for Ulm.
In a pivotal moment, Zieler showcased his goalkeeping prowess by saving the penalty taken by former Bayern Munich player Oliver Batista-Meier in the 70th minute. This remarkable save not only preserved Hannover's lead but also demonstrated Zieler's leadership as he commanded the defense in the closing stages of the match.
Interim coach Lars Barlemann, who has now won both of his matches since taking over, expressed pride in his team's performance. "I felt a positive energy from the boys after our victory against Köln, and they carried that into today’s match," Barlemann said. "We knew Ulm would be tough, especially with their recent form, but we managed to adapt and secure the win."
The match was not without its challenges for Hannover, who had to withstand intense pressure from Ulm, particularly after the equalizer. Zieler made several crucial saves, denying both Telalovic and Keller in quick succession, keeping the visitors in the game.
Despite being reduced to ten men, Hannover displayed remarkable composure and discipline, managing to hold onto their lead until the final whistle. The victory places Hannover just three points behind third-placed Paderborn, reigniting their aspirations for promotion to the top tier of German football.
Ulm, on the other hand, finds themselves in a precarious position, sitting just above the relegation zone. Coach Robert Lechleiter acknowledged the difficulties his team faced, particularly with key players like Maurice Krattenmacher absent due to suspension. "We need to regroup and focus on our next match. The fight for survival is far from over," Lechleiter stated.
As the season progresses, both teams will be looking to build on this match. Hannover will aim to continue their push for promotion, while Ulm will need to find a way to secure points in their upcoming fixtures to avoid relegation. The stakes are high, and with each game, the pressure mounts.
Looking ahead, Hannover 96 will face Greuther Fürth next week, and they will be without Knight, who received his fifth yellow card during the match, while Ulm will need to regroup quickly as they prepare for their next challenge in the relegation battle.
This match not only showcased the unpredictable nature of the 2. Bundesliga but also highlighted the importance of resilience and teamwork in the face of adversity. As the season nears its conclusion, every point will be crucial for both teams, making for an exciting finish to the campaign.
