Until just before the end, Ulm had 17:7 shots on goal, a strong tackle success rate and xGoals 2.5 to 0.5 - but they lose thanks to an own goal and a missed penalty. Hannover played the final 20 minutes a man down but passionately defended their flattering lead to secure a lucky win.

Two minutes gone. Ulm can't get into the danger zone!

There will be seven minutes of added time!

Just like on Matchday 28 at Schalke: a man up and yet 1-2 down...

Hannover are now sitting deep and defending with their nine remaining outfield players. This makes it more difficult for Ulm to create goal-scoring opportunities.

Due to being a man down, Hannover's probability of winning has slightly decreased - despite being in the lead.

This match scenario is typical for a team that's at the bottom of the table. Ulm are playing well, but they're not scoring enough and they're committing glaring individual errors in defence. Now they have 15 minutes to play with a numerical advantage.

Ron-Robert Zieler has already made four saves today. That means he has saved more than two shots on target than expected (goalkeeper efficiency: 2.0). He also ranks high in the season rankings (second place with goalkeeper efficiency of 7.1).

Hannover are now trying to establish phases of possession, but it's not really working. Ulm are quickly transitioning into counter-attacks and looking to create goal-scoring opportunities.

No other Ulm player has scored more than five times - goalscorer Telalović is clearly a reliable source.

And the match is immediately interrupted. The fans are setting off a - forbidden - firework display. Black smoke is drifting through the stadium.

The ball is rolling again - no substitutions on either side.

In the opening minutes, Hannover were the more committed side, but after ten minutes, Ulm took control and had several clear chances through Strompf. Against the run of play, Hannover took the lead - through an unfortunate own goal by Gaal. Ulm lead in shots on target at half-time (6-4) and are unlucky to find themselves trailing.

Everything is happening in midfield at the moment. Goal threat: non-existent.

Football can be cruel. Since the own-goal, Ulm have been significantly less active. Monju Momuluh carves out space to shoot after an individual run, but blazes over.

Batista Meier sets off on a sprint from his own half and leaves several Hannover players in his dust. Before it gets dangerous, however, the attacker is stopped. Ulm needed a few minutes and but are now getting back into gear.

That was Ulm's first own-goal this season - and the first own-goal for Gaal as a professional.

Ulm have fought their way into this match, and are now getting better, with passes into depth and set pieces. After a free-kick cross from Batista Meier, Strompf gets a header, but Zieler makes a great save. Shortly after, a second ball sails into the penalty area and Strompf gets to it again. The ball cannons off the crossbar!

The ball is rolling in Ulm.

Knight plays in place of Halstenberg, who is also suspended due to yellow cards. Nielsen (stomach bug) and Rochelt (personal reasons) are also not in the squad.

During the 1-0 victory in Fürth, goalscorer Krattenmacher picked up a suspension due to accumulated yellow cards. Batista Meier starts in his place today. It is the only - forced - change in the starting XI.

Zieler - Knight, Tomiak, Neumann - Momuluh, Leopold, Kunze, Ezeh, Lee, Gindorf - Tresoldi

Thiede - Gaal, Strompf, Kolbe - Allgeier, Brandt, Dressel, Keller, Batista Meier - Telalović, Higl

"We'll be playing host to a well-equipped team, and they’ll definitely give everything they’ve got to win - but so will we. We’re expecting another close match, no doubt about it. But we also know what our stadium is like, the energy from our fans, and the power of a sold-out crowd. That’s why we’ll come out firing from the first minute and do everything we can to keep the three points at home."

"Ulm are a very physical team with a lot of height, a lot of pace. They are difficult to play against. But we want to build on our performance from last weekend."

Boris Tomiak has already scored at the Donaustadion this season, he netted the first goal against Ulm in 2024/25 from the penalty spot for Kaiserslautern (on matchday 1 during Lautern's 2-1 away win).

The last encounter in Ulm in October 2000 offered plenty of excitement: There were six goals (3-3), three penalties and two sending-offs.

Ulm's only victory against Hannover was a 2-1 at home on 19th April 1984. The last three encounters at the Donaustadion all ended in draws, with Hannover's only away win in Ulm coming almost exactly 40 years ago (4-1 under manager Werner Biskup on 4th May 1985).

All eleven encounters between Ulm and Hannover have taken place in the Bundesliga 2. The visitors are unbeaten in nine matches against the Sparrows (five wins, four draws), in the first leg they turned a 0-2 into a 3-2.

Welcome along and thanks for joining us for build-up and live coverage of this Matchday 32 fixture between Ulm and Hannover.