Three points for self-confidence: Dynamo dominate Fürth

Three points, no goals conceded, out of last place in the table: Dynamo Dresden's start to the second half of the season could hardly have gone better. The 2:0 win over SpVgg Greuther Fürth was the first stroke of liberation for the black and yellows. However, it should not be overrated given the performance of the visitors.

"It's nice when what you set out to do works out," said Jakob Lemmer, who had already set the course for victory with his 2:0 after 49 minutes. Prior to that, Thomas Keller (35) had rewarded himself early on with his debut goal for Dynamo for what was then a very strong game.

Stamm relies on winter newcomers

Dynamo coach Thomas Stamm used all four outfield players loaned out during the Christmas break in the starting eleven: Thomas Keller (1. FC Heidenheim), Jonas Sterner (Hannover 96), Robert Wagner (SC Freiburg) and Jason Ceka (SV Elversberg) were given the chance to showcase their skills in front of a home crowd. 5,000 Dresden supporters had prepared themselves and the team with a fan march from the main train station to the stadium and sworn in for the mission to stay in the league. "They all did a very good job. Everyone played to their strengths. But the old players also impressed," said Stamm.

Dynamo need a lot of time to get going

On a surface that was difficult to play on - the pitch had been replaced after the Ice Hockey Winter Game a week earlier and had naturally not yet grown in - Dynamo needed time to adjust to the game. The team avoided playing hustle and bustle soccer, instead focusing on security - both in defense and in the build-up play. Keller, together with Julian Pauli, exuded calm in defense, even if the defense did not look very stable when Noel Futkeu (7th) headed the ball over.

Not much was happening going forward, however. Ceka struggled to take the game into his own hands, but he seemed over-excited and found little connection. Niklas Hauptmann secured more at the back, meaning there were hardly any ideas in the build-up play. At least the Saxons had the game under control and at least had the confidence to score from set-pieces.

Keller excels at the back and in front

Especially through Keller, who Fürth had seemingly not had on their radar. The defender appeared three times in front of the Cloverleaf goal, three times it was a real danger. After 25 minutes, he failed to beat the back of Fürth's Philipp Ziereis, but a little later he scored with his head from the third corner. And shortly before the break, he had another headed chance (44'), but Timo Schlieck thwarted it in goal.

Lemmer's goal gives them the lead

In the first few minutes after the changeover, there was a feeling that Fürth now wanted to play in a more structured way going forward. However, Dynamo quickly took the wind out of their sails. Lemmer was not tackled in midfield and took a low shot from a central position around 30 meters from goal, the ball striking the left post.

It was supposed to be the preliminary decision at this early stage. On the one hand, because Dynamo continued to look for the way forward. Secondly, because the Franconians did not come up with much themselves. Even when the hosts showed some defensive lapses after an hour of play, Fürth were unable to capitalize. Futkeu (86') hit the post after substitute Christoph Daferner (85') had shot the ball over the goal alone in front of Schlieck.