Overview

• Hospital tests confirmed Christoph Daferner will miss Monday’s cup match against Bundesliga side Mainz after sustaining a serious right-hand injury in training
• The 27-year-old, who scored in Dynamo’s first two league games, has no public return date after the club declined to specify his recovery timeline
• Sporting director Thomas Brendel described Daferner’s absence as a significant short-term loss but emphasized the squad’s depth and collective responsibility to cover his role
• Vincent Vermeij, signed last week from Fortuna Düsseldorf on a three-year deal, is expected to make his Dynamo debut with strengths in aerial duels and direct counterattacks
• Advancing past Mainz would not only boost Dynamo’s cup run but also secure a €423,772 prize from the DFB for reaching the second round