Dresden fact file
Thursday, 29. August 2019, 10:00 Uhr
Next up for the Boys in Brown after Monday night's defeat of Holstein Kiel is a trip to Dynamo Dresden on Saturday (kick-off: 1300 CET). As usual, we've taken a closer look at our forthcoming opponents.
Youngsters
Of the ten youngest players to make an appearance in the second division this season, two of them are on the books of Dynamo Dresden. Matthäus Taferner, who joined the club from Wacker Innsbruck in summer, made his debut in the 1-0 opening-day home defeat against Nürnberg at the age of 18 years, 5 months and 27 days. Centre-back Kevin Ehlers was not much older when he made his second-division bow in the same game – 18 years, 6 months and 4 days.
Slick passers
In Dynamo, the Boys in Brown are up against a team who rank among the best passers of a ball at this level. The Saxony outfit have made more passes than any other team so far this season. Only 243 of the 2,436 balls they have played failed to reach their intended target, for an impressive pass completion rate of 90.02 per cent. Only VfB Stuttgart have done better. Just 234 of their 2,416 passes have not found a teammate (pass completion rate: 90.31 per cent).
Fouls
The statistics for fouls committed and fouls suffered by Dynamo in the first four matches vary quite markedly. In terms of fouls made, our opponents rank fourth, on 57, behind Fürth (63), Aue and Sandhausen (both 59). Despite this tally, they have only picked up seven bookings, which is not too many. Dresden have not been awarded as many free-kicks, having suffered just 43 fouls. Only Sandhausen have won fewer free-kicks (37).
Finishing
Four goals from the first four games translates into the second-weakest attack for Christian Fiel's team, along with Nürnberg and Holstein Kiel. That statistic is not for want of trying, though, because their 57 attempts on goal puts them in midfield in this ranking. The problem is that only one in 14 of those attempts have found the net. Only Kiel (four goals from 72 attempts) have a worse conversion rate.
Reunion
Something many people may not realise is that Marvin Knoll wore the yellow-and-black of Dynamo for a year. The defensive utility player spent the 2011/12 season at the Saxony outfit on loan from Hertha BSC, scoring one goal in 11 competitive appearances. Knoll played alongside Dynamo boss Christian Fiel seven times in that period, and though they failed to pick up a win in the league, they did achieve a massive upset in the first round of the DFB Cup, coming from 3-0 down to beat Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen 4-3 after extra-time.
Photos: Eibner/Witters
