Stuttgart coach Bruno Labbadia is aware that his side has a mammoth task on their hands against fellow Europa League participants Hannover at the Mercedes-Benz Arena tomorrow.

Marking Jan Schlaudraff, Mame Diouf or Didier Ya Konan out of the game does not guarantee that the Reds will not score, according to Labbadia, who paid tribute to his side's opponents.

``We are facing a Hannover side who have established themselves really well as a top-eight side,'' he said.

``The ace in their pack is that, if one player doesn't score, then another one does.''

Stuttgart's director of sport Fredi Bobic has been equally impressed with Hannover's progress in recent seasons.

``You have got to take your hat off to what they have achieved,'' he said at the pre-match press conference.

``They make a very solid impression and I expect a difficult game.''

Stuttgart's recent form can give them reason to be optimistic, though. The Swabians have picked up 11 points in an unbeaten run of five matches to edge up the table to within a point of Hannover.

``It's going to be exciting because both sides are in good form,'' added Labbadia

Hannover's last-gasp win over Helsingborgs on Thursday night secured their place in the last 32 of the Europa League with two group games to spare, enabling them now to focus on the Bundesliga.

``We've got to focus on this game and play as a united team,'' said Mame Diouf, who bagged a brace against the Swedes.

Those goals are not guaranteed to keep Diouf his place in the starting XI since coach Mirko Slomka has several different attacking options at his disposal and may rotate his side.

Labbadia has fewer options for a similar rotation and is more likely to stick with the players who secured a 2-0 win at Copenhagen on Thursday.