So now it's happened: Dynamo Dresden have lost their first game in 2026. The score was 1:2 against SV Elversberg - a top team. So not all that bad? Yes, because the defeat was unnecessary.
No question: Elversberg presented themselves in the second half just as the table position says. Ripped off. Clever. Aware of their strengths at all times. But Dynamo were on a par for 45 minutes. The Saarlanders were on the brink of defeat.
The fact that they didn't lose was down to the Dresdeners. At least in the first instance. "We lost the thread in the second half. We missed the ball, we were too sloppy in tackles and unfortunately didn't win the fifty-fifty duels. If you then make the easy mistakes in the build-up play in the second chain, it becomes difficult," said Dynamo goalkeeper Tim Schreiber, who wanted to be included in the self-criticism.
Dynamo face tough weeks ahead
The Dynamos want and need to analyze the break in Dresden's play after the change of ends as quickly as possible. After all, other top teams in the league await in the coming weeks: Hannover 96 and Darmstadt 98.
"In the second half, we didn't get the intensity and pressure on our opponents, especially in defense. If we push as intensively around the corner in the center-back position as we did in the first half, the 1:1 doesn't happen, we run the ball off," said coach Thomas Stamm, putting his finger on the problem.
Because: Dynamo withdrew completely until 1:2, stopped attacking in midfield and allowed Elversberg to increase the pressure across all positions. In this phase, they also lacked the willingness to run to close gaps.
Utilization of chances prevents a deserved point win
And there was another factor that made life difficult for Dynamo on this day: the conversion of chances. The chances Dresden missed, particularly in the final phase, were painful. "I don't think Elversberg themselves know why they're so lucky. It hurts that these two goals didn't go in," said Alexander Rossipal.
The scorer of the Dynamo lead alluded to the one hundred percent chances from Christoph Daferner and Thomas Keller, which should have been used to equalize. The Saxons could have left the first half with a clearer lead than 1-0.
However, there are undoubtedly positive lessons to be learned from the defeat. Dynamo can hold their own against top teams and enormously strong teams. The footballing resources that Dresden have been offering since the winter break can also embarrass teams in the top third of the table. The fact that they no longer fall into lethargy after falling behind but immediately switch to attack mode is another new black-and-yellow virtue.
"We will work through this game, just like the previous successful games in the second half of the season. We have a lot to analyze," said captain Niklas Hauptmann. The fight to stay in the league, which is clear to everyone after this setback at the latest, will probably continue until the last matchday.
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