FC Zurich wins the 286th Zurich derby against GC 2:1

 

It’s a strange Super League season with stories and developments that hardly anyone would have expected. Last Saturday evening is the best proof of this. In the sold-out Wankdorf Stadium, the series champions YB defeated FC Luzern 2-1 in front of 31,500 spectators; it was a duel between the sensational bottom of the table and the surprising leader. At the same time, the FCZ won the Zurich derby against GC 2-1 in front of almost 20,000 visitors – and took over the top of the table.

Curiosities are part of the entertaining Swiss top league these weeks. It was supposed to be the 286th Zurich Derby, as the headlines say, and when you think about that number, the topicality disappears behind an almost infinitely long series of events large and small. The Zurich derby has seen better times, and then there is the eternal, vexing stadium issue in the city.

The FCZ is already twelve points ahead of the title favorites YB

Edition 286 of the derby will hardly be remembered for long. But the rivalry between the two clubs still seems extreme, less so on the pitch, but strangely pronounced among the fans in the ultra scene. Supporters of the Grasshopper Club have no longer felt safe when they are recognized in public as GC supporters, and there have been some nasty attacks from FCZ fans.

It has just become known that forty to sixty FCZ supporters, some of whom are said to have even been armed, attacked around a dozen GC supporters last Wednesday as they were rehearsing an elaborate choreography for the derby. Objects that were intended for the choreo were presented like spoils of war in the south curve on Saturday evening in the middle of the first half.

The FCZ fans hold up the GC banner in the derby – as a sensible person you shake your head. As a football fan, you are at the same time amazed by what is happening on the pitch. Just recently, after the 1-0 win in Bern against YB, there was talk of optimism and redemption at the Grasshopper Club. Long-time club representatives spoke of the end of the sadness after six complicated years and the 2018/19 relegation season.

Since the 2022 championship title, hardly any stone has been left unturned in the FCZ, the club wants to reinvent itself. Many people in all areas of the company have been replaced, the sports director Milos Malenovic has installed confidants everywhere, he is the strong figure in the structure and has rearranged the squad according to his wishes.

There are people around the club who speak of a restless, almost fearful atmosphere in the company, but also of a lot of energy and strength. The coach Ricardo Moniz stands for this with his sometimes irritating but always confident behavior. The president and club owner Ancillo Canepa recently said about the coach in the “Tages-Anzeiger”: “He is already the face of the new FCZ.”

After the 2-1 win against GC, the FCZ is the leader – twelve points ahead of the title favorites YB. Upside down world? FC Zurich’s good start to the season may have come as a surprise to many. But the team appears stable and organized, it has a few strong key players like Cheick Condé in midfield and the new striker Juan José Perea. The numerous transfers from all sorts of countries in no way have an identity-creating effect, but that’s how football is in 2024. Perhaps among the numerous arrivals there are players who can later be sold on for good money.

This is the business model in the Super League. It’s the same with GC. The record champions completed their personnel planning very late, and one gets the impression that they managed to make some decent transfers during the summer shopping season. For example with the South Korean attacker Lee Young Jun. However, his appearance in the derby was unfortunate.

GC errors are efficiently exploited

But after an unsatisfactory first half, GC would have deserved a point against FCZ thanks to a much better performance after the break. When it comes to expected goals, the Grasshoppers are clearly ahead in the statistics (1.86 to 1.10), Tomás Verón Lupi and Giotto Morandi missed the best opportunities. Awer Mabil scored 1-2 for GC in the 61st minute, shortly after coming on as a substitute.

The FCZ benefited twice from the hesitant GC defense before the break, with Saulo Decarli in particular not being defiant enough. Lindrit Kamberi, positioned in the right midfield for once, and Antonio Marchesano scored for FCZ with precise long-range shots. They weren’t expected goals, but ones that demonstrated determination, determination and courage. Qualities that coach Moniz demands from his footballers.

And so the Grasshoppers are very disillusioned after the end of the match; after ten rounds they are already thirteen points behind the FCZ and are already involved in the relegation battle. Captain Amir Abrashi spoke of “stupid mistakes,” and coach Marco Schällibaum said he wasn’t nice to his players during the break – he replaced Decarli straight away.

FCZ coach Moniz is also a man of clear words. He called the first half perhaps the best under his leadership, but was annoyed by the further drop in performance after the break. The FCZ may be flying too high right now. If the opponent combines quickly, the big, powerful defenders are in trouble.

At the moment, FCZ is a top team when looking at the table. But from the outside you might have the feeling that everything is still a little shaky and that other teams are stronger. But was it different in the championship season three years ago after FCZ’s unexpectedly successful start to the season?