Fortuna Düsseldorf and Hannover 96 served up an entertaining five-goal friendly on 31 July 2026, with Hannover emerging with a 3-2 victory. In a match played behind closed doors-like preparation conditions typical of pre-season, both Bundesliga 2 rivals used the fixture to test squad depth and sharpness ahead of the new campaign.

Match overview

Hannover 96 looked lively in the final third throughout the evening, scoring three times to edge out a Fortuna side that showed plenty of attacking ambition of their own. The result may count for little in the standings, but it provided valuable minutes for players on both sides and a glimpse of the tactical approaches each coach is working on.

Key moments

• Fortuna’s early bright start: The home side created several chances in the opening exchanges and were rewarded with an early goal to settle any pre-season nerves.
• Hannover’s response: The visitors hit back quickly, showing sharp movement in the box to level the score before taking the lead.
• A back-and-forth second half: Fortuna equalized again to make it 2-2, but Hannover had the final say with a well-taken winner.

Tactical story

Fortuna Düsseldorf focused on high pressing and quick combinations in wide areas, looking to exploit space behind Hannover’s full-backs. Hannover, meanwhile, were happy to sit slightly deeper and hit on the transition, with their forwards making intelligent runs in behind. The friendly allowed both coaches to rotate freely, giving younger squad members a chance to impress.

Standout players

Hannover’s attacking unit carried the biggest threat, with their forwards combining well for the opening two goals. Fortuna’s midfielders also stood out with their energy and passing range, particularly when building from the back. The match offered plenty of positives for both sets of staff as the pre-season schedule moves forward.

What it means

For Hannover 96, the win builds confidence and momentum in preparation for the competitive season. Fortuna Düsseldorf will take encouragement from their ability to score twice and create chances, though defensive lapses will need attention. Friendlies like this are ultimately about sharpness and fitness, and both teams got a productive workout under match conditions.