A “dirty victory” – the Zurich team claims luck
At home, FC Zurich manages a narrow victory against Sion, but once again they decline after the break. The Wallisers only hit the crossbar twice.
Ahoi! FCZ defenders Mariano Gomez (below) and Nikola Katic celebrate the 1:0.
Photo: Christian Merz (Keystone)
They all wait. On the field, in the stands, probably also at home in front of the TV. Everyone waits for the final whistle. The supporters of FC Zurich, to finally celebrate this victory. The fans of Sion, because they probably no longer believe that their team will score a goal this afternoon. And the neutral spectators, to finally leave behind this unattractive match.
To summarize: It is not a good match. Neither from FCZ nor from Sion. The Zurich team manages only two shots on goal throughout the match. And the guests, for their part, partially forget who their teammates are in the offensive play. So Sion finds a good counter-chance after nearly an hour. With four players, the guests storm towards three defenders, and the only thing ball-carrier Ali Kabacalman can think of is a bleak pass into the middle – Mariano Gomez can clear. A symbolic image for the Sion’s attacking efforts.
From the 17th minute on, FCZ relies on the fact that Gomez’s goal will be enough for the victory. The defender also puts in a solid performance in this match, heading in the free kick from Mounir Chouiar for the only goal of the game. And in defensive play, the 25-year-old consistently impresses with his positioning and speed.
“We did too little in the second half”
After the goal, it takes about 65 minutes until the next Zurich shot on goal. However, Umeh Emmanuel’s attempt is not a big challenge for Sion goalkeeper Timothy Fayulu. The absence of suspended Juan José Perea is clearly noticeable; his replacement Daniel Afriyie makes hardly any impact during the first 45 minutes. His best action: he wins the free kick that leads to the 1:0. Otherwise, the Ghanaian hardly participates in the game and is substituted at halftime.
FCZ – Sion 1:0 (1:0)
Letzigrund.– 13,732 spectators. – Referee: Kanagasingam.
Goal: 17. Gomez 1:0.
FCZ: Brecher; Gomez, Katic, Kryeziu; Ballet, Krasniqi (66. Mathew), Conde, Ligue (78. Tosic); Marchesano (85. Di Giusto), Chouiar (85. Oko-Flex); Afriyie (46. Emmanuel).
Remarks: FCZ without Tsawa, Goure (both injured) and Perea (suspended).
From the bench, the striker watches as his team has to tremble a bit in the second half. Twice the Sion players hit the crossbar and once Anton Miranchuk emerges alone in front of FCZ goalkeeper Yanick Brecher, but his chip shot goes over instead of into the net.
“It was a dirty victory. We did too little in the second half and gave Sion way too much. In the end, it’s also a lucky win,” says Brecher’s assessment. A victory that will not go down in the annals.
However, it is one that will certainly do FCZ good after the harsh 1:4 loss last Tuesday against St. Gallen. Nevertheless, there are some parallels to that game, especially the weak second half from both teams as well as the deficiencies in Zurich’s transition play. Had Sion finished one or two of their counters cleanly, the result would have been different. However, since the subjunctive is of no value in football, Zurich finds themselves level on points with leaders Lucerne and Lugano at the top of the table.
Here you will find additional external content. If you agree that cookies from external providers are set and thus personal data is transmitted to external providers, you can allow all cookies and view external content directly.
Allow cookiesMore info
End of the match
The match is over, FC Zurich beats Sion 1:0.
90th minute
Another crossbar hit for Sion: Théo Bouchlarhem hits the bar with the last chance of the game from a corner.
90th minute
Noé Sow is cautioned for a foul on Cheick Conde. He stays down and needs treatment, but can continue.
90th minute
Four minutes will be added.
89th minute
FCZ concedes less in the final stages than in the previous minutes. Sion hardly gets any scoring chances.
85th minute
Substitutions four and five for FCZ: Armstrong Oko-Flex and Nevio Di Giusto come on for Antonio Marchesano and Mounir Chouiar.
82nd minute
And there it is, the first FCZ shot on goal in the second half! Junior Ligue’s attempt is too harmless, however.
81st minute
Sion has also made a substitution: Mohcine Bouriga and Cristian Souza have come on for Dejan Sorgic and Ilyas Chouaref.
81st minute
Baltazar shoots from 20 meters and hits the top of the crossbar. Lucky for FCZ.
79th minute
Next huge chance for Sion: Numa Lavanchy goes alone at Yanick Brecher, but cannot beat the FCZ goalkeeper.
78th minute
Third substitution for FCZ: Ricardo Moniz brings Nemanja Tosic on for Junior Ligue.
77th minute
Chouaref tries a volley but does not connect with the ball properly.
76th minute
Sion with the next opportunity. But Dejan Djokic hits the ball meters over the goal.
73rd minute
Almost the equalizer for Sion: Marquinhos Cipriano tries directly from the edge of the penalty area and shoots just past the goal.
72nd minute
FC Sion with another corner after a blocked attempt by Bouchlarhem. The ensuing delivery is completely mishit by Chouaref.
66th minute
Didier Tholot also makes another substitution: Dejan Djokic comes on for Anton Miranchuk.
66th minute
Second substitution for FCZ: Ifeanyi Mathew replaces Bledian Krasniqi.
65th minute
Nearly 20 minutes have passed in the second half. FCZ has yet to record a shot on Sion’s goal.
60th minute
Sion again comes close through Anton Miranchuck. His attempt goes left of the goal.
59th minute
13,732 spectators are present today at Letzigrund.
Found a mistake? Report it now.
3 comments