2. Bundesliga: Hannover miss chance to climb into top two with draw in Bochum

2. Bundesliga: Hannover miss chance to climb into top two with draw in Bochum

Following last week’s disappointing result against Münster, Christian Titz’s side were once again unable to deliver the response required. Maik Nawrocki’s second-half opener briefly looked set to hand Hannover a crucial victory before Farid Alfa-Ruprecht struck back almost immediately to ensure the points were shared.

With the pressure firmly on Hannover to make a statement, it was Bochum who looked the more threatening side during the opening stages. Although the visitors enjoyed more possession, the hosts repeatedly looked dangerous on the counter attack and found space in transition.

Clear-cut chances remained at a premium throughout the first half, however. Both sides were largely restricted to efforts from distance and speculative deliveries into the area, with the two defences standing strong to send the game into the break goalless.

Hannover emerged after half-time with greater intensity and made the perfect start to the second period just five minutes in. Elias Saad found space out wide before producing a dangerous deep cross towards the back post, where Maik Nawrocki rose above his marker and guided a header past Timo Horn to spark jubilant celebrations among the travelling fans.

Bochum responded immediately and showed little sign of being rattled by falling behind. Just five minutes later, a long ball forward picked out Farid Alfa-Ruprecht on the right flank, and the youngster was afforded enough space to drive inside before curling a superb effort beyond the helpless Nahuel Noll to level the contest at 1-1.

The match soon settled back into the tense and scrappy rhythm that had characterised much of the first half, with Hannover appearing shaken by Bochum’s quick response. Their next major opportunity did not arrive until the 73rd minute when Nawrocki again found himself unmarked at the back post, but this time Horn reacted brilliantly to preserve parity.