Hannover 96 exit DFB-Pokal after 0:2 defeat at 1. FC Kaiserslautern, Wagner still winless

Kaiserslautern take the lead early

Hannover 96 lost 0:2 (0:1) to 1. FC Kaiserslautern in the second round of the DFB-Pokal on Wednesday, 28 October, and are out of the competition. Milos Lukovic put the visitors ahead in the 14th minute and Ivan Prtajin added a second goal in the 86th, both from two of Kaiserslautern's only three chances. The 35,800 spectators watched Hannover create a long list of big chances without converting one. Goalkeeper Julian Krahl, 26, kept out efforts from Hannover's forwards and midfielders, which kept his side in the tie. The defeat marks the fifth straight season in which Hannover have failed to get past the second round of the cup.

Chances, offside and a VAR intervention

Hannover controlled much of the first half, and Marcel Hartel had an early chance in the second minute. Krahl then stopped efforts from Maurice Neubauer and Benjamin Kallman before the break. A penalty awarded in the 22nd minute for a foul by Marlon Ritter on Husseyn Chakroun was overturned by the video assistant referee, and the foul became a direct free kick. Chakroun thought he had equalised in the 28th minute, but his finish was ruled out for offside after a corner. Franz Roggow hit the post just before halftime, and the best second-half chances came from a Virgil Ghita header in the 52nd minute and a Merlin Sinanovic shot in the 71st.

Wagner's first months under pressure

Sandro Wagner, 38, took over from Christian Titz and has not won a match since signing his contract in September. Hannover have played four official matches under him and lost three, including the 0:2 derby defeat at Eintracht Braunschweig on Sunday, 25 October. Fans whistled Wagner before kickoff, and he addressed the pressure before the match in a short interview with Sky.

“It is not about me. It is about the club, and there we want to be successful together.”

Hannover took only one point from their first three league matches under his leadership. Sporting director Jonas Boldt, in post since the summer, is also facing sharp criticism from supporters and commentators after the cup exit. Hannover's fans have stayed behind the team despite the poor season, but the pressure on the club keeps growing.

Rest of the round and what comes next

Elsewhere, Bayern Munich beat 1. FC Magdeburg 6:1 (2:1) without Harry Kane, the Ballon d'Or winner who was named the world's best player two days earlier and sat on the bench. Michael Olise scored twice, in the 10th minute and from a penalty in the 50th. Bayer Leverkusen came back from 0:2 down to beat 1. FC Nurnberg 5:2 (1:2), coached by Miroslav Klose. The round of 16 will be played on 1 and 2 December, and the draw takes place on Sunday, 1 November at 19:15.