It’s irrelevant for Borussia that Hannover 96 visit as the bottom placed club in the league. Their respect for the opposition remains great, despite the Lowers Saxons’ poor run of form. Everybody knows how competitive Bundesliga games are.

Consequently, Thomas Tuchel has emphasised that “preparation for a particular opponent has little to do with their current position in the table” and remarked, “We must be very, very careful.”

All of that notwithstanding, BVB should be able to pocket the three points and achieve their ninth home victory in ten home games this season. It would be a new club record!

What accounts for BVB’s best ever home form? “If I knew, I wouldn’t give it away!” Tuchel parried this question deftly while laughing heartily – before offering up a couple of suggestions: “We have been playing with lots of confidence and plenty of support. Having 80,000 supporters behind you is the best feeling you can experience.” And also: “I would describe the first league game as exemplary. By winning 4-0 against Gladbach, we really got the fans on our side for the run we subsequently went on. I’m happy that we’re playing with so much freedom and aggression simultaneously. We want to carry on this good run of form, without worrying whether we get the record or not.”

For that, Hannover need to be beaten, an opponent that served up Borussia one of their measly three home defeats in the last 16 months.

Boris Rupert