- Dresden wins the season opener
Dynamo Dresden kicked off the new season in the 3. Bundesliga with a 2:1 away win against Viktoria Köln. After a largely uneventful first half, the SGD started the second half perfectly. Christoph Daferner (47.) put the Saxons ahead with a penalty, substitute Stefan Kutschke (78.) sealed the 2:0 win. The hosts' consolation goal from Serhat Semih Güler (82.) came too late. The match at the Sportpark Höhenberg was watched by 6,155 spectators, with around 1,600 coming from the Saxon state capital.
In his debut, Dynamo coach Thomas Stamm fielded five new signings and Oliver Batista Meier, who had been loaned out several times previously. The guests controlled the game for large parts of the first half but didn't pose a real threat. Just before halftime, the hosts had two chances to take the lead. Albion Vrenezi (45.) was denied by SGD keeper Tim Schreiber. The ensuing corner and resulting header from Christoph Greger were cleared off the line by Tony Menzel.
Right after the break, Niklas Hauptmann was fouled in the Cologne penalty area. Daferner converted the resulting penalty. Afterwards, the hosts missed chances to extend their lead, including Batista Meier (65.). Substitute Kutschke made no mistake and put his team on the path to victory. The hosts' late consolation goal from Güler caused some unrest but came too late for Viktoria.
Following the successful 2:1 victory, Dynamo Dresden eagerly looked forward to the continuation of the 'Start of season' in the 3. Bundesliga. Despite controlling the game in the first half, the guests failed to capitalize on their opportunities, with chances going awry from Vrenezi and Greger.
With the 'Start of season' proving to be a positive one for Dynamo, coaches and players alike will be aiming to maintain this momentum as the new campaign progresses.
