Hannover 96 1-2 TSG Hoffenheim

Michael Frontzeck's debut as Hannover coach ended in defeat as his side went down 2-1 at home to Hoffenheim on Saturday.Anthony Modeste gave the visitors the lead within a minute but Lars Stindl levelled from the spot and it looked like Hannover might well go on to get their first win of 2015.They did not manage to take their chances, though, and Sven Schipplock struck with seven minutes to go to earn Hoffenheim all three points and keep them well in the battle for a place in Europe next season, leaving Hannover teetering on the brink of the relegation zone.Frontzeck took his place on the Hannover bench for the first time, aware he had five games to save the club from relegation and possibly earn the job on a permanent basis.No sooner had he taken his seat, though, his side were behind with Modeste giving Hoffenheim a flying start, turning in Roberto Firmino's mis-hit shot to silence the Niedersachsenstadion.It could so easily have deflated Hannover, but they had other ideas and hit back with the kind of football Frontzeck probably had in mind.Chances were created and wasted before a foul by Tobias Strobl on Manuel Schmiedebach inside the penalty area allowed Hannover captain Stindl to bring them level from the spot, sending Oliver Baumann the wrong way.Rather than giving Hannover some traction, the equaliser appeared to bring the best out of Hoffenheim, who nearly regained the lead in the 33rd minute when Strobl's header hit the inside of the post and Modeste only just missed the ball as it rolled agonisingly back across the face of goal.Hannover came out stronger in the second half, producing some of their best football since the winter break, but failing to supply the final touch.Stindl and Joselu both missed the target before substitute Kenan Karaman wasted their best chance with only Baumann to beat.Their string of misses were to haunt them as Schipplock connected with Adam Szalai's cross to head Hoffenheim in front and take them to within two points of the top six, leaving Hannover only a point above the drop zone with four games of the season left.ends