It couldn't have been much more unfortunate for Fürth in the next defeat. Havard Nielsen of all people scored the decisive goal in the 1:2 draw in Hanover against ex-coach Leitl.
Hanover (dpa / lby) - SpVgg Greuther Fürth experienced a very bitter reunion with ex-coach Stefan Leitl with its hapless coach Marc Schneider. In the 1:2 (0:0) against Hannover 96 on Sunday in the 2nd Bundesliga, Norwegian Havard Nielsen, who switched to Lower Saxony with Leitl in the summer, scored the decisive goal in the 86th minute of the game.
The still winless Fürth slipped to a direct relegation zone, while Leitl celebrated his third success in a row before his 45th birthday this Monday. "It was a very hard piece of work," said Leitl on the Sky TV channel.
In front of 21,000 spectators, Maximilian Beier (52nd minute) gave Hannover the lead for the first time with a low shot against guests who were too passive in defense. Substitute attacker Afimico Pululu equalized with a powerful shot from 16 meters (81st) from Fürth, who were not effective enough in the sixth game of the season.
"We have to keep fighting. There are more games to come," said Fürth captain Branimir Hrgota. The cloverleaf is the only team without a win alongside bottom-placed Eintracht Braunschweig. After the false start, the pressure on Leitl's successor Schneider inevitably increases.
"When you see the team, you can see how we want to play football," stressed sporting director Rachid Azzouzi. "I see the work on the pitch. You should evaluate that and not always just the pure results," Azzouzi said to Schneider.
Hannover started powerfully and had the best chance of the first half through Nicolo Tresoldi. Dickson Abiama was unable to take advantage of a very good opportunity in Fürth. In addition, a goal by Sei Muroya was disallowed for Hannover due to an offside position.
After the break, both teams gave each other nothing. Fürth seemed to be able to avert the next setback with Pululu's acclaimed 1-1 draw before Nielsen struck for Hannover. His header landed in the goal unstoppable for Andreas Linde. "Things are getting better and better," said Nielsen, who really hurt his former club.
