SC Freiburg vs Hannover 96 preview - Streich wants repeat performance
Posted Saturday, December 20, 2014 by PA
Freiburg coach Christian Streich has praised his side for their efforts against Bayern Munich in midweek and asked for them to deliver the same again for one last time in 2014 when they host Hannover this Sunday.
Although the Bundesliga strugglers were beaten 2-0 at the Allianz Arena, they gave Bayern a good game and belied the huge gap between the two sides in the standings.
Streich said: "We tried to stand deeper but constructively in order not to give Bayern any room, and it worked really well to start with but then not so much in the second half as we had injuries and had to make substitutions.
"The mentality and the attitude of the team was good. We defended ourselves with all we've got."
Similar attributes will now be required against a side who may not quite be in the same league as Bayern, but are also not in the same dimension as Freiburg.
"We're up against a side who have higher ambitions and greater possibilities than we have," added Streich at a press conference.
"We've got to try to do what we do best and it's important we have the courage for this game without putting ourselves under too much pressure.
"If we have a good day and a few things come together then it's not to be ruled out that we might beat Hannover, and that is our aim."
Hannover coach Tayfun Korkut is expecting the same level of commitment from his players in the Black Forest.
"The players can go on their holidays straight after the match, but first we need to win it," he said.
Korkut is aware that Hannover have always struggled with their focus for the final game of the year.
Since being promoted to the top flight back in 2002 they have not once managed to go into the winter break on a high.
Korkut has left Christian Schulz behind due to injury.
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