Substitutes guide Hannover to victory over Karlsruhe

Hannover 96 momentarily climbed to third after beating Karlsruher SC with second-half goals.

Husseyn Chakroun and Benedikt Pichler helped Hannover to back-to-back victories with goals as substitutes against Karlsruhe. Christian Titz’s side came into the game full of confidence after ending Paderborn’s eight-game winning streak.

However, Karlsruhe managed to keep the game scoreless for about 68 minutes. Bayern loanee Noël Aséko was key in unlocking the visitors’ defense. Hannover broke the deadlock with a magnificent team goal when the Lebanese striker Chakroun beat Hans Christian Bernat, with Aséko credited for the assist.

The 20-year-old repeated the trick a couple of minutes later. Pichler scored only three minutes after entering the pitch with a counterattacking chance that was made possible because of Aséko’s acceleration and dribbling.

Hannover sealed the result in the 77th minute by taking advantage of Dženis Burnić’s misplaced pass. Sierra Leone international Mustapha Bundu, who was playing under the current Schalke coach Marko Muslic last season at Plymouth, scored his first 2. Bundesliga goal.

Before Saturday and Sunday games, Hannover are now back in the third place in 2. Bundesliga. They will face SC Preußen Münster away from home next week. Karlsruhe will be up against another promotion chaser with a home game against Darmstadt.