2. Bundesliga: Fortuna Düsseldorf revive survival hopes in Ende’s home debut | OneFootball

Fortuna Düsseldorf boosted their survival hopes with a big win over Dynamo Dresden. Cedric Itten continued his fine form with his 13th goal of the campaign before assisting the third goal with a brilliant piece of play down the left wing.

Dynamo Dresden were the better side in the early exchanges, which could stem from the difference in morale after their successive wins. However, Florian Kastenmeier’s quick thinking changed it all in the 11th minute.

The goalkeeper quickly released Itten with a brilliant long ball after intercepting a cross from Dresden. The Swiss striker did the rest with a smart finish to put the hosts in front in a crucial encounter.

Six minutes later, Fortuna’s lead stretched as Emmanuel Iyoha’s powerful hit was deflected by two players before ending up in the net. Dresden had their chances at the other end, but Kastenmeier produced a captain’s performance.

The points were sealed when Itten easily got past his opposite number, Julian Pauli, to set up Luca Raimund’s goal near the hour mark. Like Iyoha, the 21-year-old winger finally managed to score his first goal of the season.

Vincent Vermeij was isolated before being replaced by another former Fortuna player, Christoph Daferner. Substitute Jakob Lemmer scored one back for the visitors with a well-placed header from Ben Bobzien's cross in the 89th minute, but it proved to be too little, too late.

The result means the gap between the two sides is now reduced to two points as Düsseldorf end their five-game losing streak in Alexander Ende's home debut. The hosts momentarily depart the relegation zone, with Magdeburg, Greuther Fürth, and Arminia Bielefeld playing in the next two days.