Hannover continue swarming into the Dortmund half of the pitch as they desperately try to find a last-minute equaliser. Saint-Maximin picks up the ball on the right wing and curls a deep cross over to Albornoz, who meets it well near the far post, but there's not enough power on his headed effort and it's easily stopped by Burki. That must surely be that...
90' +1
Vital touch from Gulselam! The ball bounces around the edge of the Dortmund penalty area, with a sea of red shirts desperately trying to get a shot away. None are able to do so, however, and the hosts eventually break away on a counter-attack down the right wing. Pulisic flies forward before sending a looping cross into the heart of the box, where Reus is waiting patiently, but the aforementioned centre-back is just about able to get a touch on the ball to send it away from the forward.
90'
The fourth official has indicated that there will three minutes of added time.
88'
With just two minutes left to play, Hannover are now starting to push further forward, but they're continuing to find life difficult inside the Dortmund half of the pitch. They initially move the ball around well, with Sane doing well in the air just outside of the penalty area, but Saint-Maximin mistimes his run and ends up being flagged offside before he can send a cross into the box.
86'
Once again, Pulisic picks up the ball in a dangerous position on the left flank after Dortmund do well to break forward on a quick counter-attack, but the American is unable to find a yellow shirt with his low cross into the Hannover box.
84'
A Hannover free-kick is fired by Albornoz straight into the hands of Burki, and the Dortmund goalkeeper immediately kickstarts a quick counter-attack. Reus breaks towards the halfway line before sending a wonderful lofted pass into the feet of Pulisic on the left-hand side of the visitors' penalty area, but the American youngster loses his footing at the last moment and is unable to cut a pass back to a teammate.
82'
After holding on to possession for what feels like an age, Hummels eventually takes the Hannover back line by surprise with a lofted pass forward that almost finds Reus in acres of space on the edge of the visitors' penalty area. The forward charges into the box as he tries to latch on to the ball, but Zieler is there to cut out the danger before the linesman's flag is raised for offside.
80'
With their one-goal lead looking comfortable, Dortmund now seem content to keep hold of possession inside the Hannover half of the pitch as they look to run down the clock. Despite desperately needing to pick up points, the visitors don't seem particularly determined to put pressure on the hosts, which is making life very easy for Thomas Tuchel's side.
78'
Dortmund lose the ball midway inside the Hannover half of the pitch, allowing Sobiech, who has had a very quiet game thus far, the opportunity to fly forward through the space available near the halfway line. He then tries to tee up Bech, who makes a great run down the left wing, but the striker's pass is cut out by Hummels before it can find the Denmark international.
76'
Chance for Weigl! The midfielder is immediately presented with an opportunity to make it 2-0 after latching onto a curling cross into the middle of the Hannover penalty area, but Sakai is just about able to throw his body in front of the effort to send it looping a few yards wide of the near post.
Minute
Description
75'
E. Durm enters the game and replaces H. Mkhitaryan.
J. Weigl enters the game and replaces M. Ginter.
Meanwhile, Durm has come on to take the place of Mkhitaryan, who receives a loud round of applause from the home fans.
Ginter still seems to be struggling slightly after falling awkwardly, so he's replaced by Weigl.
74'
Reus flies into the right-hand side of the Hannover penalty area and does well to meet the ball near the byline, but Zieler is there to quickly close the forward down before tipping his close-range strike out for a corner with a strong save.
72'
A. Saint-Maximin enters the game and replaces E. Prib.
Hannover have made their first change of the afternoon, with Saint-Maximin coming on to replace Prib for the final 20 minutes.
71'
Ginter and Prib battle for the ball in the middle of the pitch, and it's the Dortmund youngster who comes off second best after falling awkwardly. It initially looks as if he's done serious damage to his back, but after a few minutes receiving medical treatment he's able to return to the pitch, much to the relief of his clearly concerned manager.
69'
S. Kagawa gets yellow.
Dortmund patiently pass the ball around deep inside the Hannover half of the pitch before it finds Kagawa just outside of the penalty area, but the Japan international's first touch is poor and gifts possession to Sane, who he then clatters into with a poorly timed sliding challenge.
68'
Once again, Hannover have reverted to sitting deep inside their own half of the pitch as they aim to keep a determined Dortmund front line at bay. The hosts know that one more goal, even at this relatively early stage of the second half, could kill off the game, so they are piling as many bodies forward as possible as they attempt to find it.
66'
Kagawa battles hard in the middle of the pitch to dispossess Prib, and once doing so he spins quickly before chipping a pass down the right flank. Piszczek charges forward and tries to latch onto the ball, but Albornoz does well to dart across and cut out the danger at the vital moment.
64'
C. Pulišić enters the game and replaces G. Castro.
Dortmund have decided to make their first substitution of the second half, with Castro making way for American youngster Pulisic.
63'
Since going ahead, Dortmund look full of confidence every time they break forward. They are enjoying themselves far more now that they have the security of a goal under their belts, and Hannover's need to push further forward is resulting in several pockets of space appearing inside the visitors' half of the pitch.
61'
A poor challenge from Ginter results in a free-kick for Hannover in a dangerous position 30 yards away from goal, but Milosevic's audacious strike from the set-piece ends up sailing comfortably over the top of the Dortmund crossbar.
59'
Straight from the restart, Hannover try to take Dortmund by surprise by immediately breaking forward on a blisteringly quick attack. Bech sprints into the left-hand side of the penalty area before looking to shoot, but just as he's about to do so he's dispossessed by an excellent tackle from Mkhitaryan, which is timed to perfection.
57'
H. Mkhitaryan has scored a goal for Borussia Dortmund!
Assist Marco Reus
GOAL! Dortmund have taken the lead! A half-hearted Hannover attack breaks down, allowing the hosts to break away on a quick counter-attack through the middle of the pitch. Mkhitaryan flies forward from the halfway line and skips past both Sakai and Hoffmann before firing a curling strike from 25 yards out, and it's a beautifully hit effort that beats the outstretched arms of Zieler before finding the bottom right-hand corner of the net.
56'
Chance for Bech! Prib charges down the left-hand side of the pitch before threading a wonderful through-ball into the path of the Denmark international. He meets it well inside the penalty area before immediately unleashing a first-time shot, but it flies straight into the side-netting before the linesman's flag is raised for offside.
54'
Gundogan goes close! Once again, Mkhitaryan and the Dortmund number eight link up on the edge of the Hannover penalty area, but this time the Armenian's pass is a good one. As a result, his teammate immediately fires a shot from 20 yards out, but his effort ends up curling just wide of the far post.
52'
An almighty scrap in the middle of the pitch results in Dortmund coming away with the ball, allowing them to break forward on a quick counter-attack. Mkhitaryan charges down the right wing before cutting a pass back to Gundogan, but it's sent too far behind the midfielder and denies him the opportunity to unleash a shot from the edge of the Hannover box.
50'
Karaman breaks into the right-hand side of the Dortmund penalty area before spinning and teeing up Sane, who is space on the right flank. The Senegalese midfielder immediately swings a dangerous cross into the middle of the box, where it almost finds Sobiech, but Burki does well to rush out and meet the ball with his fist before it can reach the Hannover striker.
48'
It's been a sloppy start to the second half from both sides, neither of whom have been able to string together a lengthy series of passes. Dortmund have immediately tried to go on the front foot but, as was the case in the opening period, they are finding it difficult to find a way through the sea of red shirts camped in front of them.
46'
And we're underway once again!
45'
Great run by Karaman! The winger, who has spent the vast majority of the opening 45 minutes firmly on the back foot, is finally able to push forward after a Dortmund attacking move breaks down. He charges through the middle of the pitch and heads towards the edge of the penalty area before unleashing a thumping strike, but it's poorly hit and ends up flying several yards wide of the near post.
43'
And now Gundogan almost makes it 1-0! The Dortmund midfielder picks up the ball just outside of the Hannover penalty area and immediately tries to tee up Kagawa, but his pass is cut out by Hoffmann at the vital moment. The ball drops back to him, however, allowing him to unleash a curling strike from 20 yards out that Zieler does well to tip round the post with an excellent diving save.
41'
Hoffmann goes close! Hannover do well to quickly regain possession before Prib sends a swinging cross into the middle of the box. It finds the aforementioned midfielder, who beats Subotic in the air before forcing Burki into making a good save with a bullet header from close range.
40'
Bech has arguably been Hannover's best player thus far, and once again he's able to break down the left wing on a quick run before earning his side a corner. Prib curls the set-piece towards the edge of the six-yard box, but once again Subotic is there to deal with the danger.
38'
What a chance for Subotic! A lofted pass from Gundogan flies over the top of the Hannover defence and into the path of Schmelzer, who immediately tests Zieler with a well hit cross-cum-shot that results in a corner for Dortmund. The set-piece is blasted into the heart of the penalty area, where it finds the aforementioned centre-back in acres of space, but his first-time volley ends up flying several yards over the top of the crossbar.
36'
E. Prib gets yellow.
After just about managing to deal with the danger from Hannover, Dortmund try to break away on a quick counter-attack, but it's brought to an end by a terribly timed sliding challenge from Prib, who receives the first yellow card of the game as a result.
35'
Chance for Bech! Schmelzer completely falls asleep on the left wing, allowing Sakai to beat him with ease before heading towards the byline. He then cuts a pass into the middle of the box, where Subotic misses the ball completely, but the centre-back's mistake takes the aforementioned Dane by surprise and results in him missing making contact by the narrowest of margins.
34'
A swarm of yellow shirts charge deep inside the Hannover half of the pitch before Kagawa tries to penetrate the penalty area. Just as he's about to do so he's seemingly tripped over by a clumsy challenge from Prib, but the referee immediately tells the Japan international to get to his feet before allowing play to go on.
32'
After spending 10 minutes on the back foot, Bech is finally able to push forward once again after Dortmund lose the ball in the middle of the pitch. The young Danish winger darts down the left flank before curling a wonderful cross into the heart of the box, but Subotic does well to get a head on the ball before it can find Sobiech near the penalty spot.
30'
A misplaced pass from Hummels initially gifts Hannover with a chance to break forward on a quick counter-attack, but they fail to take advantage of the defender's mistake and end up giving possession back to the hosts. They break away through Gundogan, who then works the ball out to Schmelzer, but left-back's 25-yard strike ends up flying straight into the hands of Zieler.
28'
Kagawa twists and turns on the edge of the Hannover penalty area before being clumsily tripped over by Prib, resulting in another free-kick for Dortmund in a very dangerous position. Once again, Reus decides to shoot from the set-piece, but his curling effort is sent too near to Zieler and is easily dealt with by the goalkeeper.
26'
Piszczek is able to find himself in a pocket of space down the right flank, allowing him to curl a dangerous cross towards the back post. It flies past three Hannover players before finding the outstretched leg of Mkhitaryan, but the ball is slightly too far in front of him and, as a result, his effort ends up flying well wide of its intended target.
24'
Dortmund have reverted to dominating possession inside the Hannover half of the pitch, but the visitors look well organised and, at the moment, are doing well to keep the hosts largely at bay. Thomas Tuchel's side are looking bright down both flanks, but they're finding it increasingly difficult to whip balls into the box due to good play by Albornoz and Sakai.
22'
Once again, Dortmund lose the ball in a dangerous position and Hannover try to make them pay. This time it's Bech who breaks forward quickly as he shows great skill to get down the left flank before penetrating the box, and he then fires a low cross off Subotic and out for a corner. The set-piece is flung into the middle of the box, but it's easily dealt with by the Dortmund defence, allowing the hosts to push forward once again.
20'
A determined Dortmund attack breaks down, allowing Sakai to fly forward on a darting run down the right wing. The Japanese full-back charges into the hosts' half of the pitch before trying to pick out Bech, who had made a good run into the penalty area, but he holds on to the ball for slightly too long and ends up failing to beat Schmelzer with his attempted cross.
18'
Great goalkeeping by Zieler! Reus picks up the ball in a pocket of space just outside of the Hannover box and immediately sends a beautiful pass into the path of Mkhitaryan, but just as it looks as if it's going to meet the Armenian the visitors' goalkeeper dives in the way to stop it from doing so.
17'
It's all Dortmund as they continue to put the Hannover back line under plenty of pressure. Reus has started to drift out to the left, where he and Mkhitaryan are ganging up on Sakai and, as a result, finding plenty of joy.
16'
Reus hits the crossbar! The Dortmund number 11 steps up and curls a beautiful free-kick over the top of the Hannover wall and towards the roof of the net, but, after beating Zieler, his effort ends up deflecting off the woodwork and away from danger. What a goal that would have been!
15'
It's been a difficult few minutes for Sane, who is constantly being outwitted by Kagawa deep inside the Hannover half of the pitch. After good play by Reus on the left wing, the Japan international is clumsily fouled by the Senegalese midfielder, resulting in a free-kick for Dortmund in an incredibly dangerous position just outside of the penalty area.
13'
A poked cross from Kagawa flies towards Reus, who once again is waiting in a dangerous position inside the Hannover penalty area, but Hoffmann is just about able to thump the ball out for a corner. The set-piece is curled towards the far post, where it finds the aforementioned German forward, but he's a yard or two offside and the linesman's flag is raised as soon as he makes contact with the ball.
11'
It's been a largely sloppy opening 11 minutes for both sides, as neither are looking particularly sharp in the middle of the pitch. First, Sakai denies Hannover the chance to break away on a quick counter-attack with a poorly placed pass, before Castro almost immediately gives away possession with an equally disappointing ball forward that can only find Sane.
9'
Excellent save by Zieler! Piszczek skips past Bech with ease before swinging an absolutely beautiful low cross into the heart of the Hannover penalty area. Reus beats Gulselam and latches onto the ball on the edge of the six-yard box, but the visitors' goalkeeper does wonderfully well to parry away the Dortmund forward's volleyed effort with a fantastic diving stop.
7'
A misplaced pass from Bech can only find a yellow shirt, allowing Dortmund to quickly break away on a swift counter-attack. The hosts move the ball around well before Gundogan tries to run into space on the right wing, but once again Albornoz is there to pick up the ball with a well-timed interception.
5'
Piszczek charges down the right flank on a marauding run forward before looking to swing a cross into the Hannover penalty area, but he ends up slipping over at the vital moment, which allows Albornoz to pick up the ball before launching it up towards the halfway line.
3'
After a patient start to the game from both sides, Hannover are the first to push forward after stringing together a series of good passes down the left wing. They win themselves a throw-in deep inside the Dortmund half of the pitch, but Sane brings a promising move to a disappointing end with a wayward pass that fails to find a red shirt.
1'
And we're off! Hannover get us underway, attacking from right to left.
Good afternoon and welcome to our live text commentary of today’s Bundesliga game between Borussia Dortmund and Hannover at Signal Iduna Park.
This afternoon’s clash brings together two sides experiencing completely different seasons. Enjoying life in the upper echelons of the table are Dortmund, who remain firmly in second place, 10 points clear of nearest challengers Hertha Berlin, thanks to last weekend’s goalless draw against the third-place side. The point gained at the Olympiastadion means that they have now lost just once in their last seven league games, but it was nonetheless a slightly disappointing one as it meant that they were unable to take advantage of a rare slip-up by Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich, who were held to a 0-0 draw by Bayer Leverkusen. Thomas Tuchel’s side will be hoping that Augsburg achieve a similarly positive result in their clash against the reigning champions this weekend, whilst today’s hosts will be looking to return to winning ways with a victory against a side that have lost 14 of their 20 games this season.
Hannover head to North Rhine-Westphalia in a dire situation, as all of their last six Bundesliga encounters have ended in defeats, leaving them languishing at the bottom of the table with just 14 points. An awful first half of the season resulted in Michael Frontzeck, who had only been appointed as head coach in April, making way for Thomas Schaaf during the winter break, but the former Werder Bremen boss has so far failed to halt his new side's slide towards the second tier. At the end of November, the Reds put four past Ingolstadt in a game that resulted in their last league victory, but since then they have continually struggled in front of goal, scoring just twice in their last six clashes whilst shipping 11 goals in the process.
Thomas Tuchel has decided to make three changes to the Dortmund side that drew 0-0 with Hertha Berlin last weekend, with Neven Subotic, Matthias Ginter and Shinji Kagawa coming into the starting line-up to replace Sokratis Papastathopoulos, Julian Weigl and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, the latter of whom misses out today due to a slight knock picked up during the week.
Meanwhile, Hannover boss Thomas Schaaf has made five alterations to the side that featured in last Saturday’s defeat at home to Mainz, with Christian Schulz, Hotaru Yamaguchi, Manuel Schmiedebach, Adam Szalai and Hugo Almeida making way for Ceyhun Gulselam, Miiko Albornoz, Salif Sane, Kenan Karaman and Artur Sobiech, respectively.
The two sides are making their way out onto the pitch, with just a few minutes to go until kick-off.
HALF-TIME: BORUSSIA DORTMUND 0-0 HANNOVER
Groans of frustration ring around Signal Iduna Park as the two teams make their way off the pitch, and they certainly aren't coming from the away fans. Hannover will be incredibly pleased with how they've performed during the first half, as their well-organised and hard-working back line have largely kept Dortmund's forwards quiet, resulting in the hosts' best chance coming from a Reus free-kick. Bech has looked bright on the counter but the visitors have struggled in front of goal as well, meaning that it's been a largely quiet opening 45 minutes for Burki, who has had to make just one save thus far.
The two teams are making their way back out onto the pitch ahead of the start of the second half. Neither side have made any substitutions during the half-time break.
FULL-TIME: BORUSSIA DORTMUND 1-0 HANNOVER
The referee blows his whistle for the final time and brings an end to another game that has ended in a frustrating defeat for Hannover. The absence of Aubameyang was telling, as Dortmund didn't look as ruthless in front of goal as they have in recent weeks, but they were nonetheless blessed with enough firepower to find a way past their struggling opponents, who had a frustrating time in the final third of the pitch due to their need to spend the vast majority of the afternoon firmly on the back foot.
The win moves Dortmund to within five points of Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich, who are in action against Augsburg tomorrow afternoon, whilst the defeat leaves Hannover rock bottom of the table, now one point behind 17th-place Hoffenheim, who managed to pick up a 1-1 draw against Werder Bremen today.
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