The light rain falling over the Stade de la Maladière on Monday evening didn’t dampen the mood for the Neuchâtel Xamax faithful, but it added a layer of poignant atmosphere to a night of transition. For the “Rouge et Noir,” it was more than just a quest for three points. it was the final home appearance of the season and a farewell to a cornerstone of their defensive line.
Neuchâtel Xamax secured a clinical 3-0 victory over Étoile Carouge, a result that does more than just move them closer to the finish line. The win allows Xamax to consolidate their grip on fourth place in the standings, keeping the chasing pack—specifically Stade Lausanne-Ouchy and Rapperswil-Jona—at arm’s length as the campaign enters its final act.
Beyond the tactical victory, the evening belonged to Yoan Epitaux. The Jurassian defender, who has worn the red and black with distinction for six seasons, played his final minutes on home soil. In a sport often defined by transient contracts and rapid turnover, Epitaux’s tenure represents a rare stability, and his departure marks the end of an era for the backline at La Maladière.
Tactical Shifts and an Unfamiliar Front Line
The match presented an immediate challenge for Xamax in the dugout. With head coach Anthony Braizat suspended for the fixture, leadership duties fell to Sébastien Fontbonne and Pascal Oppliger. The duo didn’t just manage the sideline; they experimented with the squad’s geometry.
Deploying a 4-4-2 formation, Fontbonne and Oppliger opted for an attacking partnership that had remained largely unused this season: Jessé Hautier and Vincent Nvendo. While the pairing was new, the support system behind them was seasoned. Liridon Mulaj, Eris Abedini, Diogo Carraco, and the dangerous Salim Ben Seghir provided the engine room, while Edin Omeragic stood as the final line of defense behind a back four featuring Jonathan Fontana, Lavdrim Hajrulahu, Epitaux, and Léo Seydoux.
The tactical gamble paid dividends early. Despite an aggressive start from the eighth-placed Genevois side—highlighted by a dangerous early effort from Oscar Correia in the second minute—Xamax remained composed. The breakthrough arrived in the 9th minute when Salim Ben Seghir, wearing the number 11, capitalized on a recovery in the opposition half, cutting inside to slot a precise finish into the far corner.
Clinical Execution and a Moment of Brilliance
For much of the first half, the match was a tug-of-war. Étoile Carouge refused to fold, with Oscar Correia acting as the primary catalyst for the visitors. Correia nearly leveled the score following a defensive lapse by Léo Seydoux in the 10th minute and later forced a difficult save with a well-struck free kick. However, Xamax possessed a level of “realism”—the ability to convert half-chances into goals—that Carouge lacked.
The momentum shifted decisively in the 38th minute. Following a corner, Lavdrim Hajrulahu produced the highlight of the evening: a spontaneous “aile de pigeon” (backheel/flick) that caught the Carouge defense off guard and doubled the lead. It was a moment of individual flair that underscored the confidence currently flowing through the Xamax squad.
| Event | Player | Minute | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goal 1 | Salim Ben Seghir | 9′ | Established early lead |
| Goal 2 | Lavdrim Hajrulahu | 38′ | Cushioned the lead via a flick |
| Goal 3 | Shkelqim Demhasaj | 70′ | Sealed the 3-0 victory |
| Clean Sheet | Edin Omeragic | 90′ | Prevented Carouge from scoring |
Weathering the Storm
The second half saw Étoile Carouge adopt a high-risk, high-reward offensive strategy. This approach nearly worked in the 50th minute, when Edin Omeragic was forced into a series of sharp interventions to deny Diogo Correia and Ousseynou Sène, the latter of whom nearly found the top corner.
However, Carouge’s desperation left gaping holes in their defensive transition. Xamax, sensing the vulnerability, shifted into a counter-attacking mode. Liridon Mulaj became a constant threat, nearly adding a third in the 55th minute and again in the 66th during a lightning-fast break that sliced through the Genevois midfield.
The final blow landed in the 70th minute. Shkelqim Demhasaj, who had entered the fray at the hour mark, found himself in the right place at the right time. After a recovery inside the penalty area, Demhasaj simply had to push the ball home to make it 3-0, effectively ending any hope of a Carouge comeback.
The closing stages were a testament to the determination of Edin Omeragic. As Carouge threw everything forward to salvage a consolation goal, Omeragic remained an immovable object, ensuring the match ended as a shutout.
The Road to the Finale
While the scoreline suggests a dominant display, the match was won in the margins. Carouge was not “ghost-like” in their effort, but they were blunt. Xamax, conversely, exhibited the maturity of a team that knows how to manage a game—absorbing pressure when necessary and striking with surgical precision when the opportunity arose.
As the players left the pitch and the fans bid a final farewell to Yoan Epitaux, the focus shifted immediately to the season’s conclusion. The victory provides crucial psychological momentum for the final hurdle.
Neuchâtel Xamax will travel away to face Stade Lausanne-Ouchy next Friday for the final match of the season. With a top-four finish on the line and a direct rival standing in their way, the stakes for the season finale are as high as they can possibly be.
Do you think Xamax can maintain this form for the final match? Share your thoughts in the comments below or share this story with fellow supporters.
