Outside90’s Fraser Stewart takes a look at all the major talking points coming out of the latest round of Swiss Super League action.
FC Thun have a star on their hands
FC Thun have bounced back from a dismal performance against Basel last week.
It turns out that the 3-1 loss gave them motivation to play attractive and attacking football when they met Vaduz at home, starting the match with style and riding out a 1-0 victory.
Gianluca Frontino played his best game for Thun this year and he will continue to be influential throughout the season. On the 26th minute he had a cracking shot outside the box, resulting in a controversial decision of handball inside the box. Frontino then stepped-up and calmly converted the spot-kick.
It was not just the 25-year-old who provided the spark that Thun lacked, but Marco Rojas had shot from way beyond the 18-yard box which caught the goalkeeper off-guard and hit the crossbar. The team then continued their attacking display with another great build-up to another great goal.
Frontino is just the player that Thun needs in order to compete with the likes of BSC Young Boys and FC Basel. He is quick, good on the ball and more importantly, not afraid to have a shot from anywhere in the attacking third.
Kubo is the man for Young Boys.
Bern Sport Club Young Boys are back to winning ways after their comprehensive 3-1 win over FC Sion in week six.
However, there was one noticeable change coming into the match, Yuya Kubo making a return to the starting line-up and a chance the Japanese striker did not let go to waste. From the start Young Boys looked like they had put their defeat to Lugano the prevouis week behind them, bossing the midfield, and ultimately playing the majority of the 90 minutes in an attacking frame of mind.
On the 21st minute a huge howler from goalkeeper Andris Vanins resulted in an easy goal for Kubo. It was not the kind of start that Sion had wanted, the custodian tried to throw it out of his hands but somehow he found the opposition forward, he was then faced with an empty net to put away the opening goal.
FC Sion started the second-half on attack, paying-off with the all awaited goal to level the scores, coming from a superbly taken corner which found Moussa Konate who struck home.
Kubo then proved again why he so vital to the Young Boys squad, he received the ball and with three defenders around him playing a nicely awaited pass to Alex Gonzalez, who sent the visitors back in front.
On the 77th minute BSC Young Boys showed why they are climbing up the Swis top-flight ladder. It was another counter attack, Guillaume Hoarau passing to Kubo, who then exhibited some class and trickery with a backheel into space, which Miralem Sulejani could just run onto and finish with a clean strike.
The win now puts Young Boys third on the table.
Grasshopper Zurich can challenge for the title.
It may be a surprise to see Grasshopper Zurich sitting in second place at this stage, having had almost the perfect start to the season with four wins, one loss and one draw. FC St. Gallen have not been on the best run, but nonetheless occupied sixth heading into the match.
However, when the sides faced-off, one would have been forgiven for thinking that it was first vs. last.
Grasshopper Zurich did not take long to stamp their authority on the pitch, taking a second minute corner with a short one-two, then a long ball across goal to Caio who put the ball into the net. Gallen’s defence did not even react to the ball, simply looking on in shock.
Not long after, Grasshopper was again on the attack, however, the Gallen goalkeeper made a good diving save to his right. On the 16th minute the hosts had the chance to equalise with a free-kick which could have gone anywhere, but ended up at a Grasshoper defender’s feet, and was ultimately cleared away.
This was the only shaky part for the visitors during the match. Pierluigi Tami’s men dominated, and more importantly they were playing with flair.
In the 49th minute Espen had the golden chance to make it 1-1, however, a poorly conducted corner resulted in a turn over that cost them the game, beginning a Grasshopper counter-attack through the middle of the pitch that would see Munas Dabbur score to seal the game.
The result makes it clear that Grasshopper Zurich can match it with Basel in the race for the title.
https://youtu.be/IX0OQimRoxc
Problems rise at FC Zurich
There are certain problems that need addressing at FC Zurich, sitting just above the relegation zone by two points.
Their results so far have been inconsistent. Before gameweek six had begun they had drawn, won and lost on a regular basis. However, during the game against Luzern they scored the opener, a stunning volley from Christian Schneuwly just after halftime.
But one of the problems that does need addressing is their ability to defend a lead.
On the 57th minute Luzern pulled a goal back, walking pass Zurich’s defence with a through ball from Clemans Fandrich that was nicely weighted to pick out Jakob Jantscher.
From here it just got worse for Zurich, with the controversial sending-off of Burim Kukeli for his handball on the goal line.
Dario Lezcano then converted the penalty, opening the floodgates and setting the stage for a 5-2 final result.
It was very evident that Zurich’s game plan needs to be more defensively focused. A number of times Luzern’s attackers were given far too much space, especially when injury time came. Urs Meier will need to think of a new strategy heading into week seven.
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We know why Basel are on top.
For Basel the Super League campaign could not be going any better, recording six wins and six games so far.
Lugano, on the other hand, have had it tougher, currently sitting in eighth with four losses and two wins. However, those wins were against the likes of Vaduz and BSC Young Boys.
It was Lugano’s turn to face the undefeated Basel side in week six. They may have thought it was the day for an upset when they took an early lead from a Mario Piccinocchi strike on the ninth minute, yet an attacking play from the visitors in the 11th minute resulted in another Super League penalty, converted by Davide Calla
As the match went on Basel looked the more comfortable team on the pitch. It gave a clear indication as to why they are sitting pretty at the top of the table.
A razor sharp counter-attack led to a second goal, this time from Mohammed Elneny, in which all he had to do was tap the ball home. Basel were almost free to roam and their offensive game plan saw Calla net the third minutes after the halftime break.
Urs Fischer would be happy with the result that put them five points clear ahead of Grasshopper Zurich.
By Fraser Stewart
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