2. Bundesliga: Braunschweig boost survival hopes with dramatic victory over Dresden

2. Bundesliga: Braunschweig boost survival hopes with dramatic victory over Dresden

Goals from Florian Flick and Faride Alidou secured a crucial three points for Lars Kornetka’s side, who survived a missed Dresden penalty before holding firm during a tense late onslaught from the visitors.

The opening stages offered little in the way of clear-cut chances, with both sides struggling to establish any attacking rhythm during a cagey first 20 minutes. Braunschweig eventually broke the deadlock when Dresden failed to properly clear a delivery into the box, allowing the ball to fall kindly for Florian Flick on the edge of the area. After taking a touch to steady himself, the midfielder drilled a low effort into the bottom-left corner to put the hosts ahead.

Dresden slowly began to grow into the contest and nearly found an equaliser shortly after the half-hour mark. Jason Ceka whipped in a dangerous cross from the right which Fabio Di Michele Sanchez inadvertently diverted towards his own goal, but Ron-Thorben Hoffmann reacted sharply at his near post to prevent an unfortunate own goal and preserve Braunschweig’s lead heading into the interval.

The home side made the ideal start to the second half by doubling their advantage just five minutes after the restart. Fabio Kaufmann burst down the right flank before delivering an inviting cross into the six-yard box where Faride Alidou arrived ahead of Tim Schreiber to poke home from close range and make it 2-0.

Dresden coach Thomas Stamm responded with a series of attacking substitutions and his side were handed a huge opportunity to get back into the match in the 67th minute. Following sustained pressure, the visitors were awarded a penalty after was caught in the face inside the area. stepped up looking to spark a comeback, but Hoffmann produced an excellent low save to keep Braunschweig’s two-goal cushion intact.