2. Bundesliga Review: Petkov sends Elversberg second with win in Dresden
| Elversberg's hero -- Lukas Petkov | Pau Barrena/Getty Images |
Elversberg are the ones fighting for promotion to the Bundesliga, but the 17th-placed Dynamo Dresden came into this game unbeaten in 2026. Their first-half performance also supported the renewed hope in Dresden as they were in ascendancy until the closing stages.
However, Alexander Rossipal’s superb strike was the only difference on the scoreboard at halftime. Jason Ceka, who just joined Dresden on loan from Elversberg, thought he had doubled their lead against his parent club, but it was chalked off after a VAR check.
For their part, the visitors had a strong finish to the half as they aimed for only a second win in six matches. Hoffenheim loanee Bambasé Conté was denied by the crossbar, and they also similarly started the second-half when Felix Keidel hit the sidenetting.
Tom Zimmerschied and Lukas Petkov also had decent chances to level the score as Dresden started to lose momentum. And there was no surprise when Nicholas Mickelson did that by timing his run to get behind Dresden’s defense before providing a precise finish from Maximilian Rohr’s long-distance assist.
Elversberg continued to push for the winner, and they got their reward with less than 15 minutes on the clock. Tim Schreiber saved Lasse Günther’s initial attempt, but Petkov scored from the rebound to put the guests in front for the first time.
Dresden should’ve responded quickly, but substitute Christoph Daferner was denied on the goalline by a clever touch by Petkov. The matchwinner was also decisive in the other penalty box.
The goalkeeper Nicolas Kristof also played a big role with an impressive double save as the hosts maintained the pressure in injury-time. Nils Fröling scored an own-goal at the other end, but the goal was nullified after a VAR check for a handball by Conté. There was one more dangerous cross flying over Elversberg's box before the final whistle in the 100th minute.
Elversberg will entertain Eintracht Braunschweig next weekend, while Dresden face one of the in-form clubs in the division, Hannover 96.
