Neither manager made any changes for the clash on Saturday afternoon. Hannover boss Andreas Bergmann chose to stick with the same eleven that earned an impressive goalless draw with Bayer Leverkusen last weekend. However, it was the hosts that started the brighter of the two sides and were able to dominate possession in the opening phases. After ten minutes Rob Friend almost found the opening goal, but the Canadian's header was cleared by Cherundolo. In the early exchanges Hannover remained solid at the back, but struggled to create at the other end.

After 14 minutes there was to be a cruel twist of fate for the visitors from Hannover. In what was a fairly innocuous attacking move by Gladbach, Haggui blocked Reus allowing Fromlowitz the opportunity to clear. However, the keeper's clearance crashed into the defender's left leg and the ball trickled into his own net giving the hosts the early lead. The visitors tightened up after the goal and five minutes later were rewarded with some defensive luck as Friend's shot from close range hit the cross bar. But it didn't take long for the Canadian to make his impact. On 22 minutes Friend's header found the back of the net following a good cross from Levels.

The two goal advantage saw the home side loosen up a little and losen their grip on the game, as Hannover started to get back into things. Firstly Stajner played Pinto into the box but Bailly reacted quickly to prevent Hannover. The visitors continued to press and were unlucky not to score through Bruggink just before the half hour mark. The captains shot flying agonisingly wide of the left hand post. But finally the breakthrough came following a corner from Pinto which found Stajner in the box. Ya Konan then found himself with the ball at his feet and just the keeper to beat from six yards out. The Ivorian made no mistake and kept Hannover in touch with Gladbach coming into the break.

Things got all the more curious in the second half. On 58 minutes Djakpa scored an incredible own goal to offer the home side the advantage. Following a pass from Fromlowitz the substitute subsequently passed the ball straight back, only to miss the stranded keeper as the ball once again found the back of the Hannover net. And it seemed as though, that would be that, but it wasn't to be. After 68 minutes Bradley made it 4-1 from a long range freekick, only for Ya Konan to get his second goal of the day just a minute later.

Hannover weren't content with the 4-2 score line and increased the pressure after Ya Konan's strike, while Gladbach sat back and allowed the guests to come. But the game still had things to offer. Two goal hero Ya Konan saw red for a second bookable offense after 84 minutes as Andreas Bergmann's side were forced to play the final six minutes with ten men. Soon after there was hope for Hannover. Jaures fumbled the ball in his own six yard box, allowing Schulz a sight on goal. His sliding tackle forced the ball towards the goal as Bailly tried and failed to prevent the goal.

But there was to be a final cruel twist for Hannover as Haggui netted his second own goal of the game three minutes into injury time. Once again it was a poor back pass that did the damage as Gladbach ran out 5-3 winners.

Hannover slip to 13th place in the Bundesliga and face VfL Bochum in their final game of 2009.