Four Days Away from Soccer
Dynamo Dresden is in the midst of a long international break. For the team, this initially meant a brief break from their daily routine: Coach Thomas Stamm gave his players four days off so they could take a step back from soccer and the current situation.
For Inanoglu, the break took him to Paris, where his sister is studying. The Turkish-born player, who was born in the U.S., spent a few days in the French capital with her
“Good food, enjoying the weather—and, of course, our runs,” the forward says, describing the days. The break was important for him to regain his strength, both mentally and physically. “It’s not always easy mentally, or physically for that matter. That’s why it’s very, very important to take time to clear your head. Now I’m back here, refreshed, and really looking forward to the coming weeks.”
Inanoglu is waiting for his next opportunities
The 21-year-old came to Dresden with the goal of developing his skills and learning. So far this season, he has appeared in four games, two of them as a starter. Recently, however, he hasn’t been selected for the lineup in two matches.
Inanoglu says he isn’t letting that get to him. “I just have to focus on the things I can influence and be patient, because it will all come with time,” he says.
The forward also points to his daily work with the team. It’s important to him to keep learning and to build a good rapport with his teammates. After all, he says, soccer players aren’t just athletes—they’re people, too.
However, Inanoglu himself admits that patience doesn’t always come easily to him. “Sometimes I’m not very patient. But I’m a young player, so I just have to take it step by step. I’m following my own path. I’m confident that everything will work out in the end, just as it’s supposed to.”
Enjoying the Daily Work
Despite his limited playing time so far, Inanoglu doesn’t describe his situation as a difficult phase. His attitude toward his profession helps him with that.
“At the end of the day, we’re professional soccer players; I love soccer and enjoy doing this. I come here early every day and stay late. I enjoy it, so it’s not a difficult time for me. I’m just very, very grateful that I can be here and play on the field with the guys,” explains the forward.
He also doesn’t want to use past results as a yardstick for his future development. Dynamo had earned four points from six games and was in 17th place in the standings. Instead, Inanoglu is looking ahead.
“This isn’t a sprint—it’s a marathon,” he says, describing his view of both his own development and the SGD’s situation. He says he needs to put the past behind him; the key is to keep moving forward step by step.
16 Goals in 17 Regionalliga Games
Inanoglu had already shown in the Regionalliga that he knows how to score goals. In 2025, the forward scored 16 goals and set up five more in 17 games.
At Dynamo, the next step in his development is set to follow. He’s using the current international break to clear his head and then return with renewed energy.
The 21-year-old sums up his basic attitude in one sentence: “I don’t see this as a difficult phase. It’s just part of the process—some things are simply a matter of time.”
