Dynamo Dresden did not go down in the Veltins-Arena fortress. The Saxons managed a well-deserved 2:2 (0:0) at leaders FC Schalke 04. Edin Dzeko had given Schalke a seemingly decisive lead in front of a sold-out crowd with a brace (52nd, 70th). An own goal by Hassan Kurucay (78') brought some more excitement. Thomas Keller (87) headed home the equalizer that was no longer thought possible. Although Dynamo remain in the relegation zone, their fourth unbeaten game in 2026 means they still have a good chance of staying in the league.
The Saxons had an answer for all of Gelsenkirchen's situations. Even more. They put their stamp on the first half quite clearly. Jakob Lemmer had the lead on his feet as early as the sixth minute, but his shot from the edge of the penalty area landed on the roof of the net. Thomas Stamm's team dominated the ball and their opponents seemingly at will, had clear control in midfield and played clever attacks down the flanks.
Dynamo not brave enough in finishing
One shortcoming: The final pass into the penalty area to the free man did not arrive or the attackers were poorly lined up. It was a question of having the courage to take a risk and put the ball into the opposition goal.
Dynamo were largely safe at the back, with Dzeko's only chance (23') resulting from a misplaced pass from Jonas Sterner back to goalkeeper Tim Schreiber. However, the 39-year-old was yet to score.
Dzeko shows the class he still possesses
That changed in the second half. Schalke came out of the locker room with considerably more pressure and a new system. The visitors now had their feet full defending their own box. However, they were only undermined by a counterattack down the left-hand side. Adil Aouchiche, who came on as a substitute at the break, found Dzeko completely free at the penalty spot, who converted directly. And added another 18 minutes later. From a standing position, he pocketed the ball unstoppably for what looked like a certain victory.
