The Dynamo Dresden vs. Hertha BSC match on Easter Saturday (8:30 pm) is the top game of the second division – and for Toni Leistner (35), it marks an emotional return to the Rudolf-Harbig Stadium.
Leistner’s ties to Dynamo go back to 2011 when he played his first professional game there (4-0 against Unterhaching). This match also marks his first return to Dresden since September 14, 2020, when he lost 1-4 against SGD in the DFB-Pokal with Hamburger SV and had a moment of anger post-match.
Leistner had a heated exchange with a Dynamo fan, resulting in a four-game suspension and a €6000 fine. Dynamo had to pay €2000 to the DFB for the incident. Uwe B., the fan, has avoided his penalty to this day.
In the lead-up to the match, Leistner reflects on the incident and mentions that he has received positive feedback when in Dresden. He has arranged 30 tickets for friends and family, with his wife and kids sitting in the box of long-time Dynamo sponsor Thomas Dathe (USD Immobilien).
In terms of the game, it promises to be intense. Dynamo needs every point for their relegation battle, while Hertha BSC could potentially get back in the race for promotion with a win. Leistner acknowledges Hertha’s recent success but highlights Dynamo’s own strong performances with ten points in the last four games.
Leistner’s contract with Hertha expires at the end of the season, but he is keen to continue playing. He is considering his options, including the possibility of staying at Hertha or seeking a new challenge.
In terms of his personal life, Leistner and his family have settled in Potsdam, opting to build a house there instead of returning to Dresden post-retirement. They have embraced the area and enjoy the natural surroundings.
Despite his career taking him to various clubs, Leistner remains connected to his roots and finds a piece of home in his new neighborhood, with a neighbor displaying a Dynamo Dresden license plate on their car.
