Champions League. FC Zurich sees itself in a favorable position.
0: 4 at YB, 2: 3 at Karabakh, 0: 0 against Lucerne: FC Zurich is struggling at the start of the season. However, the champions believe they are in a good position ahead of the second leg against Karabakh.
60 appealing minutes away at Young Boys and a decent second half at Karabakh and the first point against Lucerne are what Zurich are clinging to in these groundbreaking days. The solid hour in Bern raised hopes for a successful start to the season until Antonio Marchesano missed a penalty and Christian Fassnacht made it 0-1. Keeping a clean sheet against Lucerne gives Captain Blerim Dzemaili and the rest of the team a feeling that they are on the right track. And the improvement in performance in Azerbaijan helped Zurich believe they were in a good position to advance in the third round.
“We drew the right conclusions and created a great starting position,” said Lindrit Kamberi the day before the second leg on Wednesday evening in the Letzigrund (kick-off 7:00 p.m.). In this last one, Zurich want to do what FC Basel did in the group stage of the Europa League: Basel beat Karabakh 3-0 at home after the first comparison in Baku ended 0-0.
Santini: “One of the most important games”
Ivan Santini underscores the importance of the party: “The season has only just begun, but it’s one of the most important games for us. If we win it, we can have a fantastic season.” If the FCZ leads after 90 minutes but only by one goal difference, it goes into extra time and possibly a penalty shootout.
The next level weekend would guarantee FCZ a European group stage. It would still be unclear whether it is a place in the Champions League (two more wins), the Europa League (one win from two duels) or the Conference League (two defeats). Measured against previous performances, however, FCZ must improve if they want to continue dreaming of the Champions League. So far, the team has remained the proof that they are better than those from the championship season guilty, as President Ancillo Canepa said in his continued euphoria before the championship opener.
Offensive still goalless
In the first leg in Baku, Zurich could have been 0:3 or 0:4 behind instead of 0:1. The fact that two defenders, Kamberi and Mirlind Kryeziu, scored the goals to make it 1:2 and 2:3 is significant. None of the attacking players have succeeded this season. One of the two goals came from an unpunished offside, the other was a penalty gift from Karabakh.
Good for FCZ: Coach Franco Foda has to do without the injured Becir Omeragic in the key game, but can still count on Wilfried Gnon, who the club would let go if a suitable offer were made.
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