Dynamo Dresden in crisis: parallels to last season?

Is Dynamo Dresden experiencing déjà vu? Somehow, the past matches, the results and the reactions afterwards are reminiscent of the second half of last season. A comfortable starting position for promotion to the 2nd Bundesliga was carelessly squandered due to a series of negative results, the players appeared listless and unmotivated for the most part, and the coach was heard to talk up their performances. And now Dresden are in a similar position with just one win from their last five competitive matches.

Of course, it's a different stage of the season. Dynamo are working with a new coaching team, with new personnel on the pitch who first have to find their feet. They are in second place in the league after nine matchdays. But the 3:1 defeat after extra time in the Saxony Cup at regional league side Chemnitzer FC raises questions. "We wanted to defend the cup. Now we've been knocked out in our first round. Nobody is satisfied," said coach Thomas Stamm on MDR.

As in previous matches, Dresden had good spells of possession with good opportunities. What was missing was efficiency, but above all clean defensive work. Two goals conceded were the result of set pieces, while the third CFC goal was a counterattack. "If you defend set pieces like that, it's not good enough, neither in the 3rd division nor against a regional league team," criticized Stamm.

Captain grumbles about the performance

Captain Stefan Kutschke highlighted another area of concern: The mentality issue. "The way we lost the game is catastrophic. Our body language wasn't there after the 1-2, we lost our structure, we didn't get the second balls, Chemnitz took the tackles better than we did. It's disappointing how we presented ourselves. On the other hand, you saw what can be done with will and mentality," said Kutschke.

There was also an attitude problem with some of them. If they are not represented in the DFB Cup next year as a result, that would be a bitter consequence. "If you have to motivate players for extra time, then I don't know what to do," said the striker. Kutschke said that no one in the team had pulled off the duels.

A different face is needed against Essen

And now? Apart from the loss in the national cup, nothing has happened yet. Perhaps this defeat was the wake-up call for players and coaches. You won't win in the future with good phases of possession alone. A different face must be shown against Rot-Weiss Essen on Sunday (1.30 pm/MagentaSport), the captain demanded and coach Stamm remarked: "We will pick our heads up again."