Collective challenge: Dynamo confident going into the cup match

Dynamo Dresden are flirting with another cup surprise. Having already eliminated Fortuna Düsseldorf (2:0) as a top team in the Bundesliga 2 in round one, the third-division soccer club now awaits Darmstadt 98 on Wednesday (20:45/Sky) as a team relegated from the Bundesliga. And Dynamo not only have a score to settle with them. The Saxons have only won once in nine matches, with two games ending in draws. The only cup encounter to date was also lost: In the 2nd round of the 2020/2021 season, the score was 0:3 at the Dresden stadium.

Despite their very poor record, Dynamo have high hopes. "It's absolutely possible to beat a second-division team as a third-division team if you can pull it together like you did against Düsseldorf," said Dynamo coach Thomas Stamm, who repeatedly brought the word collective into play. In the 90 or 120 minutes, this is required everywhere on the pitch to be able to stand up to a very strong opponent.

Coach relies on goalkeeper Tim Schreiber

However, you also need players who can rise above themselves, said Stamm, alluding to goalkeeper Tim Schreiber. He had put in a very good performance against Düsseldorf and secured Dresden's lead with his saves during a 15-minute Fortuna pressure phase. Schreiber - then still in the service of semi-finalists 1. FC Saarbrücken - had already made a name for himself in the cup last season. The current Dynamo regular keeper will also line up against Darmstadt; Dynamo had already ruled out a goalkeeper rotation in the DFB Cup before the season.

Captain Kutschke eligible to play in the cup

The hosts can also count on captain Stefan Kutschke in the match. The veteran is suspended in the championship following a red card, but is eligible to play in the cup. "It's hugely important that we have him there with his style and energy," said Stamm, who left open whether the veteran will start from the beginning.