Football Season Guide

Dynamo Dresden flirted with danger last term, with the main criticism being the old-fashioned football played at times under the ‘old dog’ Neuhaus. Despite this negative press coach Neuhaus extended his stay in Dresden and he remains at the helm for a fourth consecutive season. Two regular starters, plus Seguin and Hauptmann who were expected to play regularly this season, left the club in the summer. Dynamo were proactive on the transfer market though and they added strength and depth to their ranks, with at least three of their new signings likely to be amongst the main line-up this season. The departure of Schwabe means that a new number one will have to be found and at least early in the season it seems that the 20-year-old Schubert will be the preferred choice. This is a risky manoeuvre and could backfire, but at least Neuhaus has two experienced back up options to change things if he needs to. Dynamo hope to have much better luck with the health of their squad this term. Last season both Gonther (key figure in defence) and Testroet (main striker) suffered nasty injuries as early as August and missed most of the campaign. Both of them have been preparing well for the new campaign and look fit and ready to go. Neuhaus wasn’t happy with his wide defenders, Dynamo had serious problems dealing with overlapping runs and crosses last season, and in search of improvement Wahlqvist and Hamalainen were signed. Both of them come from abroad and might need some time to adapt and learn the language, but they should be the new main starters nonetheless. With three potent centre forwards in the squad Dynamo mix their formation and once again in some matches they will trust 4-2-3-1 (good news for the new attacking midfielders Atik and Ebert), while on home turf the old-fashioned 4-4-2 is preferred.