Zurich scores once and takes a point
The win was a must. But the defeat was so close that even this point is welcome from the FCZ point of view. In the 73rd minute, the champions fell behind at their cantonal rivals and needed a defensive mistake from Winterthur just under 15 minutes later to score the first goal of the current season after 445 minutes. Substitute Fabian Rohner converted the first good chance of FC Zurich, who quickly performed disappointingly, on the Schützenwiese.
FC Winterthur deserved their first win in the top division since spring 1985. Only after equalizing did the outside come under more pressure. Before that, Bruno Berner’s team had more of the game, played more aggressively than the favorites and, above all, had the better chance of scoring a goal. Roy Gelmi and Roman Buess failed twice in the first half against the strong Yanick Brecher.
When the goal was conceded, even goalie Brecher, the best FCZ player, looked bad. He misjudged a wide pass in the direction of his penalty area. Neftali Manzambi was faster on the ball and made an ideal pass to scorer Francisco Rodriguez, the youngest of the Rodriguez brothers with a past at FC Zurich. The damage for the champion was limited because Souleymane Diaby also made a misjudgment on the other side, which benefited Rohner.
The coming weeks will be a challenge for FC Zurich and its coach Franco Foda. Apart from progressing against the Northern Irish champions Linfield, who will bring in the European Cup millions, FCZ has shown far too little this season. He has to get back on course quickly, because the self-confidence – that’s the impression in Winterthur – seems to have been cracked.
The Swiss champions continue on Thursday in the Europa League playoff at home against the Scots from Heart of Midlothian, on Sunday in the cup in Cham and on August 28th in the league at home against Basel.
Telegram:
Winterthur – Zurich 1: 1 (0: 0)
8400 spectators. – SR Schärer. – Goals: 73. Rodriguez (Manzambi) 1-0. 85. Rohner (Viunnyk) 1:1.
Winterthur: Fayulu; Gantenbein, Gelmi, Lekaj, Schättin, Diaby; Ramizi (92nd Ballet), Abedini, Rodriguez (92nd Arnold); Di Giusto (61st Manzambi); Buss (78. Corbaz).
Zurich: crusher; Kamberi, Kryeziu, Aliti (69th Mets); Conde; Boranijasevic (Krasniqi 80), Dzemaili, Avdijaj (Rohner 69), Guerrero; Santini (Vyunnyk 46), Marchesano (Gnonto 46).
Notes: Winterthur without Schmid and Costinha (injured). Zurich complete. Bookings: 37. Santini (foul). 41. Dzemaili (foul). 60. Aliti (foul). 80. Schättin (foul). 84. Kryeziu (foul).