Austrian International Pichler suffers late defeat against Wolfsburg

Hannover 96's poor start to the 2. Bundesliga is complete.

The promotion contender narrowly loses the top match against title favorites VfL Wolfsburg 0-1 on the second matchday. Reese scores the decisive goal from the penalty spot in the 87th minute. Austrian International Benedikt Pichler is substituted in the 62nd minute.

In a tight game, Hannover had more control until halftime, but clear-cut chances eluded the hosts. On the other side, Gerhardt missed twice from a good position.

Pichler Squanders the Lead

The strikers of both clubs then came to the fore. Hannover attacker Bundu (61st minute) headed over the goal, while two minutes later, Glatzel also missed with a header on the other side.

The 96ers squandered two prime chances within seconds in the 78th minute. First, Okon headed against the crossbar, before Pichler missed the goal from a good scoring position after a cross.

That came back to haunt them a short time later when Hugonet held Glatzel for too long, and the referee consequently pointed to the spot. Reese converted the penalty into the bottom right corner. Hannover no longer had an opportunity for an equalizer.

Thus, 96 loses its second league match of the new season, following a 1-3 defeat against promoted side Energie Cottbus. Wolfsburg, after a 0-0 draw on the first matchday against Kaiserslautern, registered its first full points.

Hat-Trick Secures Victory for Bielefeld

Grodowski became the match-winner with a hat-trick in Arminia Bielefeld's 3-0 victory against Energie Cottbus. The German secured a 2-0 halftime lead (26th, 37th minutes) and then added another from the penalty spot in the 76th minute.

Furthermore, Dynamo Dresden won 1-0 against SV Darmstadt thanks to a goal from Sterner (12th minute). Austrian International Muhamedbegovic remained on the bench for Dresden for 90 minutes.