European League
FCZ lost 1:2 against Arsenal – now the days of truth are coming
At the start of the Europa League, FC Zurich performed well against Arsenal in St.Gallen, but still lost. Now there are two decisive parties in Geneva and Lausanne, especially for coach Franco Foda.
In memory of the Queen: The FCZ and Arsenal players gather for a minute’s silence after the break.
Minutes of silence before the start of a game are a common occurrence in a footballer’s life. On this evening in St. Gallen, however, the moments of remembrance take place immediately after the break. It is the sign of the historic, sad event: the death of Queen Elizabeth. It’s inglorious that some idiots from the FCZ fan base know nothing better than to interrupt the minute’s silence with heckling.
Although that doesn’t fit with how the FCZ fans are behaving that evening. The atmosphere in the Kybunpark, which is filled with 17,070 spectators, is outstanding. It’s as if the fans are celebrating some final memories from last spring’s memorable championship party.
Few seem to care that in the end the narrow 2-1 defeat against Arsenal remains. They keep singing after the final whistle. The days in the Europa League are a welcome change from the dreary everyday life in the Super League.
Dzemaili: “It needs more self-confidence”
The decisive goal: Nketiah headed in to make it 2-1 for Arsenal. The FCZ can no longer react.
“I’m proud of the team. That was a first step towards points in the championship, »says Mirlind Kryeziu after the game. He’s not entirely wrong about that. The FCZ shows an appealing performance. He fights from start to finish. He’s defeated Arsenal in many stages, of course, but the opponent is also the Premier League leader. That’s why it’s likely that the people of Zurich will create some dangerous scenes.
Blerim Dzemaili’s conclusion: “We can build on this game. And now we have to go into Sunday’s game with more confidence.” Then the FCZ plays at Servette. And tries to finally get the first league win. Finally, Dzemaili says: «Whoever is a master cannot forget everything. Sometimes all it takes is a win and then it works.” If it just could be that easy!
Yes, where is this team going? Will she soon be able to show her European face in the championship? Flipping a game on their side for once? Just like we always did last season. No one cares more about these questions than Franco Foda. The coach is under pressure. So much so that a sacking before the international break at the end of September would not be a big surprise. Although President Canepa Foda quickly publicly gives a lot of support. After the game in Geneva, FCZ also has the cup game in Lausanne waiting for them. The days of truth will come.
Xhaka is showing a strong performance as captain
Swiss national team captain Granit Xhaka leads Arsenal into the field as captain against FCZ. He manages a strong performance, again and again he plays nicely for his colleagues – it could have resulted in more than just two goals. The former FCB star may also have been a little spurred on by the whistles of the FCZ fans against him. After the game, neither Xhaka nor his teammates will give any interviews, out of respect for the death of the Queen they do not want to talk about football that evening.
Arsenal’s win is well deserved. Although only four players from the starting eleven started, the superiority is sometimes oppressive. The characters of the evening are Nketiah and Marquinhos, both of whom score a goal and an assist. In between, Kryeziu equalizes with a penalty just before the break.