Team news

Mannaert expecting tough test Club Brugge general manager Vincent Mannaert is convinced coach Christoph Daum will put out his strongest side and go for the victory in their Europa League clash against Hannover, despite Daum suggesting he was ready to focus on the league.

The Belgians trail 2-1 going into the second leg, and in a press conference on Sunday, Daum seemed to indicate he was more concerned about trying to close the seven-point gap to Anderlecht at the top of the Jupiler League standings.

Daum was speaking after a 2-1 victory over Kortrijk was overshadowed by a serious injury to Fredrik Stenman, adding to a lengthy list of casualties.

And Mannaert believes emotions got the better of Daum, who will now come out fighting after a few days of reflection.

"You have to put his remark in context," Mannaert told the club's website.

"Emotions run high after a difficult week. That's understandable. He wanted to indicate that his squad, with all these injuries, has its limitations. But I know our coach, he's a true winner.

"And the players will also want to go for it against Hannover. It is better to be sure about it. Quite a challenge lies ahead for everyone, but I'm not worried." With the margin only one goal, and Brugge having an away goal to their credit, Hannover boss Mirko Slomka is aware that his side still have plenty to do to secure progression to the last 16.

"I still think our chances are 50-50," he told uefa.com.

"We've shown that we can beat Brugge, so perhaps that means our chances have increased slightly, but we'll definitely need at least one away goal to progress to the next round. Brugge are a different proposition at home and are sure to raise their game." Leading scorer Mohammed Abdellaoue is doubtful with a foot injury, which could see 21-year-old Artur Sobiech start.

"Artur scored his first goal as a substitute last week and got another very important one for us [in the first leg]," said Slomka.

Club Brugge vs Hannover 96

Last modified 20:12 23/02/12

Hannover end Club Brugge challenge Hannover eased through to the last 16 of the Europa League with a comfortable 3-1 aggregate win over Club Brugge following their 1-0 triumph on Thursday.

Mame Diouf scored the only goal after 21 minutes, and with the strike giving them a two-goal cushion in the tie, they found it easy enough from there even as Club Brugge pushed for a goal of their own.

Club Brugge's hopes of advancing in this competition - and of closing the seven-point gap on Anderlecht in the Jupiler League - have been hit by an injury to captain Fredrik Stenman, adding to an already lengthy injury list.

Even so, they started on the front foot as Lior Rafaelov tested Ron-Robert Zieler from close range in the ninth minute before Niki Zimling saw his shot pushed round the post for a corner.

Mohamed Abdellaoui had a couple of early openings for Hannover, but the Germans got the goal that made all the difference in the 21st minute when Lars Stindl crossed for Diouf to drill home from close range. It sparked a frantic spell in the match, as Thomas Meunier sought a quick response with a volleyed shot which Zieler saved, before Rafaelov fired over.

Joseph Akpala then tried his luck from the edge of the area, but Zieler was untroubled.

Hannover heeded the warning and took the action to the other end, where Jan Schlaudraff's shot was parried before Manuel Schmiedebach fired over and Abdellaoui's effort was charged down.

Akpala was off target with another chance before Carl Hoefkens went close to getting the hosts back into it with a header that Zieler palmed away for a corner.

The start of the second half produced chances for both sides, but it was Rafaelov who went closest for the hosts, with his close-range effort again blocked by the goalkeeper.

Zieler was called on again moments later to keep out Victor Vazquez's free-kick.