Hannover 96 head to Borussia Dortmund this Saturday, kick-off at 14:30 GMT, with the desire to go back to home with some points to aid their battle against relegation.
Dortmund enjoying 2016
Borussia Dortmund are on a good run of form at home, having won 12 of their last 13 games at Signal Iduna Park - which is quite impressive. Moreover, they have beaten Hannover six times in their last seven games. Given the confidence around the club, this is expected to continue.
Thomas Thuchel's team have enjoyed a good start to the Rückrunde with two victories, against Borussia Mönchengladbach and FC Ingolstadt 04. However, last week at the Olympiastadion, against a strong opponent - Hertha BSC - they were held to a 0-0 draw.
Despite that slight set-back, they were able to bounce back straight away. Against VfB Stuttgart, in the DFB-Pokal on Wednesday, their efficiency in front of goal was back with a good 3-1 win that set up a semi-final back in Berlin against Hertha.
Hannover slumped at the wrong end of the table
On the other hand, there is the misfiring Hannover and Thomas Schaaf. The Lower Saxony side have failed to win a single game since December 4th. Their last victory was a surprising 4-0 triumph against newly-promoted Ingolstadt. Since then, they have found the back of the net just once.
In the same space of time, Dortmund have scored 12 times. It means that they have massive problems in the defensive and offensive areas. Consequently, it is seems impossible to win a game in their current situation. However, they must find a way break out of the slump, get away from the bottom spot and the relegation zone.
Managers have their say before the game
On Friday afternoon Thomas Tuchel spoke about the game, he have declared that "Hannover are in a difficult phase" but they must take the game seriously because it is the Bundesliga. He added, "They are still in search of the right mentality."
Dortmund's head coach isn't taking this fixture lightly but, unfortunately for the hosts, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang did not take part to the final team training due to a knock, according to Stefan Buczko.
Therefore, BVB will probably have to play without the top-scorer in the league. But for the coach it will not be a problem because "[BVB] have to stay independent from formations. We can react tactically and personally". Dortmund will do everything to win this game at home, in front of their 80.000 fans.
Thomas Schaaf spoke to the press on Thursday, saying they "can change" the current situation they are in. He expressed that "everyone must believe in themselves", trying to give confidence to everyone in the squad to boost morale.
Furthermore, Hannover will be without Hiroshi Kyotake, Christian Schulz, Hugo Almieda and Adam Szalai; the task was tough, but this makes it even more difficult.