Mainz vs Hannover 96 preview - Hjulmand upbeat despite slow start

Posted Saturday, August 30, 2014 by PA

Mainz coach Kasper Hjulmand remains "very proud" of his team despite the fact they head into Sunday's Bundesliga clash with Hannover still searching for their first win of the season.

Hjulmand's side go into their second league match having already been eliminated from the Europa League and the DFB-Pokal, and after salvaging a 2-2 draw at Paderborn thanks to a stoppage-time penalty last weekend.

However, avoiding what would have been a third straight defeat was vital for his team's confidence ahead of their first home Bundesliga match of the campaign, according to Hjulmand.

"That late equaliser was very, very important," the Dane said on his club's website. "I'm very proud of the team.

"The first 15 minutes of the second half were poor, but then we came back. In the last 20 minutes, I had a very good feeling.

"We did everything right in the last five minutes, putting them under a lot of pressure.

"Now I'm looking forward to our first Bundesliga home game. My full focus is on this game, on our team and on our tactics.

"I think it will be a very difficult and very even game. We've got to give it our best to get the win."

Hjulmand will be without the injured Nikolce Noveski and Joo-Ho Park for a game which is expected to draw a crowd of over 26,000 at the Coface Arena.

Edgar Prib and Lars Stindl have both been ruled out in the long term for Hannover, who arrive in Mainz bidding for a third straight win on their travels, having won their last two away games of last season.

"We've got a good feeling," coach Tayfun Korkut said. "We are now seven games unbeaten, including last season, and so I have a positive feeling."

Hannover started the campaign with a 2-1 home win over Schalke and a further three points would keep them flying high in the Bundesliga for the duration of the international break.