Hannover coach Mirko Slomka has conceded defeat to Bayern Munich in the race for a Champions League spot.
Slomka is reeling from Saturday's shock 1-0 defeat at home to Borussia Monchengladbach.
The Reds started the day with a one-point advantage over Bayern but the loss to Monchengladbach and Bayern's 4-1 win over Schalke has put Andries Jonker's men in control of third spot, which will mean a place in the Champions League qualifiers next season.
"I don't think that Bayern are now going to drop any more points," admitted Slomka.
"We have lost at home and that is very surprising for us, particularly given how strong we have been at home recently.
"We were inferior and you need a lot more than that if you are fighting for a place in the Champions League."
Monchengladbach, meanwhile, have now beaten two teams from the top three to boost their hopes of avoiding relegation.
"We wanted to prove that we are still alive and we have done that," said their coach Lucien Favre.
"Now we have got to beat Freiburg, or else we are dead anyway."
The Foals moved to within three points of safety and only two behind the relegation play-off.
"We had already been written off, yet we have come back impressively," said their director of sport Max Eberl.
"With 22 points, we have played a sensational second half of the season and our recent results say it all."
