Hannover accept Standard frustration
Friday, September 16, 2011
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Jan Schlaudraff hopes Hannover 96 will be happy with their 0-0 draw against R. Standard de Liège "once the initial disappointment has faded" with the Belgian side containing the newcomers.
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Hannover 96 captain Steve Cherundolo felt frustrated by his side's lack of goal threat as they were held to a 0-0 draw at home by R. Standard de Liège in their opening UEFA Europa League Group B match. While Cherundolo drew comfort from Hannover not conceding a goal, Standard midfielder Nacho González said the Belgian Cup holders achieved their aim of stifling a top-quality Bundesliga side.
Steve Cherundolo, Hannover defender and captain
We expected Standard to play very defensively and try to hit us on the counterattack, and that's what we saw tonight. It's always difficult to break down a team with ten guys behind the ball. We didn't create enough chances, although we were a little unlucky with one that hit the crossbar. We are still happy enough with a point but we are disappointed we didn't get three. On the plus side, it was important to keep a clean sheet. After the great achievement of defeating Sevilla to qualify we certainly know we're good enough to make it out of this group, and that's what our goal will be.
Jan Schlaudraff, Hannover forward
On the balance of play, I feel like we lost two points tonight. Nevertheless, we didn't lose the match and we kept a clean sheet. Once the initial disappointment has faded we will be pleased with this point. It is true we only managed to create two or three chances but unfortunately couldn't take them.
Nacho González, Standard midfielder
It is a good point for us against a very good team who finished fourth in the Bundesliga last season. We didn't allow Hannover to play a lot of football. At home, we will take a different, more offensive approach. With our 0-0 tonight and København only winning by one goal, it is clear that this group will be extremely tight.
Yoni Buyens, Standard midfielder
It's a good away point for us against a team that I think is perhaps the strongest in the group. We can build on this result going into the next match. We tried to create scoring opportunities but our final pass let us down. Ultimately it's important to win our home matches and if we can take a point from every away game then we'll be more than happy.
