That’s what the Scots of Hearts say before the qualifying hit
Despite the defeat in the first leg, Hearts of Midlothian are optimistic ahead of the qualifying game against FC Zurich. The Scots hope for their own fans.
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the essentials in brief
- FC Zürich won the first leg against Hearts of Midlothian 2-1.
- In the second leg, the Scots hope for a witch’s cauldron in Edinburgh.
- Coach Neilson will play defensively and has good chances.
Hearts of Midlothian received FC Zürich in the qualifier for the Europa League tonight. The Scots narrowly lost 2-1 in the first leg and are therefore optimistic.
Midfielder Peter Haring puts his hopes primarily in the spectators: “FCZ doesn’t know what’s in store for him in Tynecastle,” he told Herald Scotland. The spectators would have an impact on the party. Tynecastle Park in Edinburgh will be packed with 20,000 fans and will be sold out.
“It’s definitely not a good place to play for an away team,” says Häring. “But one that’s all the better for us.” According to the newspaper “The Scotsman”, many fans have announced that they can finish work earlier. The club asks them to come to the stadium initially and create a good atmosphere.
“Edinburgh News” writes of “the most important game for Hearts since 2006”. And the newspaper is optimistic: “FC Zurich’s poor form is well documented.” The situation of Zurich in the national league is described with relish: “They sit at the bottom of the table with only two points from five games.”
Can FCZ qualify for the Europa League?
Coach Robbie Neilson nevertheless announces a more defensive strategy: “We have to make sure that we are good at the back,” he says to the “Scotsman”. However, you also have to pose a threat, which is why he will deploy several offensive forces. “BBC” says Neilson that it will be very hard for others, “but we have a very good chance”.
The coach should have good memories of Swiss opponents. In the Uefa Cup 2004/05 he scored the decisive goal to 2:1 in the Joggeli in the 89th minute. Hearts of Midlothian won the game against FC Basel, but were eliminated in the group stage.
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