Pote-nt Dynamo Shock Lackluster Lions
Allianz Arena, Munich - TSV 1860 München's poor run of form continued on Sunday when they were comfortably beaten at home by Dynamo Dresden. Two first half goals by Frenchman Mickael Pote put Dresden in the comfort zone. From then on The Lions had an uphill struggle on their hands.
Things went from bad to worse for 1860 when 10 minutes into the second half Stefan Buck was sent off for pulling on Pote's shirt when he was clean through on goal, leaving the home side with a mission impossible.
Minutes later Dynamo put another 2 goals away either side of the hour mark to double their advantage. The first from Romain Bregerie (another Frenchman) and then Pote rounded off a satisfying afternoon with a neat hattrick in front of almost 40,000 fans, a massive number for a second division game.
Daniel Bierofka did salvage some pride for the home faithful when he hit a lovely free kick straight into the goal. It was claimed by Kevin Volland but he evidently got nothing on it. Bierofka added a second for himself and the team in injury time when he struck a wonderful goal from the edge of the penalty area that flew in past Wolfgang Hesl between the Dresden sticks. It was a superb strike from the experienced midfielder but ultimately too little too late.
Dresden fully deserved their win, like most teams in the 2nd Bundesliga they played it simple and absorbed any pressure the home side were able to muster up. As Fürth had done the previous weekend, they closed The Lions down early and stifled play in the wide areas. Pote was the target man for Dynamo and poor defending allowed him enough space and opportunity to finish his chances when they came.
It was the second week in a row that Rainer Maurer's Lions have had a player red carded and this indiscipline will urgently need to be addressed. Already bereft of quality at the back, they now lose another first team defender to suspension.
"It's been an unfortunate afternoon for us," said Maurer. "The early goals did the damage and they deserved to win. Stefan Buck's sending off was a blackout. Our legs were getting tired but we tried to build pressure. We did score two goals but now it's about rebuilding the team."
Dynamo coach Ralf Loose was naturally full of praise for his team who are the first to take any points from The Lions at the Allianz Arena this season. "A big compliment to my team. We were alert from the beginning and made a great start. By getting the goals our confidence grew. I would also like to thank our fantastic fans for making the trip to Munich worthwhile."
Ultimately it was the clinical finishing of Pote in front of goal today. He made 3 of his 5 chances count and that tells the story. Rainer Maurer and his coaching staff will now have to think about how they will tweak the defense before the next game, a tough away fixture at Hansa Rostock in 2 weeks time if they are to turn around their fortunes and get their season back on the rails.