Left back a cause for concern ahead of Hannover match

USA international Fabian Johnson, who picked up an ankle injury in the game against Schalke 04, is still unavailable. Jeremy Toljan, who played at left back against Mainz and Leverkusen, is also a major doubt. The 19-year-old is suffering with a thigh injury. “I will have to come up with something,” explained Gisdol. He has had one idea – Sejad Salihovic could be the solution at left back.

Gisdol might have to do some reshuffling at the other end as well. Kevin Volland, who has missed just seven minutes of Bundesliga football so far this season, picked up an adductor injury on Tuesday. “It looks like Kevin Volland will miss out,” said Gisdol. That means one of TSG's key players won't be involved against Hannover. “We have a few fitness issues, but we can't start complaining,” added Gisdol.

Follow Hertha's example

The personnel issues won't make the task in Hannover any easier. Mirko Slomka's side are unbeaten in seven home matches, with 13 of a possible 15 home points picked up so far this season. “Hannover are a good side. They play attacking, effective and courageous football at home. They can really put you under pressure when they've got their supporters behind them,” explained the TSG manager.

Hertha BSC recently earned a 1-1 draw in the HDI Arena – a match that Gisdol wants to learn from. “If we can go about the game in a similar way to Berlin then we can take something away from Hannover. It could be an open, attacking encounter.”

A big step

The ghost goal from the Leverkusen game shouldn't play a role any more. “We're all struggling to come to terms with it and go about our daily business,” revealed Gisdol. “It's only human for the process to take a bit of time. We talked about Leverkusen until Tuesday and then turned our focus towards Hannover. We have to blank it out for 90 minutes at least.”

The ghost goal certainly didn't play a role in the video analysis of the game. “We focused on our own performance,” explained Gisdol. The match against the Champions League participants “was a big step in the right direction. There were a lot of things that were exactly how we want to present ourselves.” The team can make the next step against Hannover – perhaps with Sejad Salihovic as a full back.

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