This winger likes to have a goal in mind
The competition is fierce – within the team and in the fight for promotion. 20-year-old Enrico Peier from Zug 94 accepts the challenge and gives his best.
Plays for train 94: Enrico Peier has a clear goal in mind.
Image: Matthias Jurt
(Zug, 7. 11. 2024)
When Zug 94 dueled with Schöftland in the cup and in a preparation game, one of the opponent’s players caught the eye of Zug sports director Besnik Reci. It was the 20-year-old winger Enrico Peier who impressed him. He says: “When the Zug sports director called me and reported on the promotion project, he aroused my interest. Since I like to play with a clear goal in mind, which gives me additional motivation, I decided to switch to move 94.”
The start did not go as desired. After the holidays, Peier contracted pneumonia – he had to take a two-week break from the preparation phase. Since the competition in Platoon 94’s offensive is great, it took a while before it was used. Initially as a substitute and then increasingly from the start. Enrico Peier emphasizes: “Everyone in our team plays for the club. Everyone wants to get promoted to the first league with Zug 94.”
The coach David Cos Gayon attaches great importance to a well-groomed game and variable tactics. Depending on the situation, he wants to force his own game on the opponent or – if necessary – adapt to his game. Platoon 94 is currently the undisputed leader – it seems to be able to achieve promotion.
But not all that glitters is gold. Enrico Peier explains: “We have to be mentally ready from the first minute of the game. We don’t always succeed. Against Malcantone we had to chase down a 3-0 deficit to ultimately achieve a 3-3 draw. And against Cham II we were 2-0 down before we were able to win with 3-2 goals.” The quality and the necessary experience are there – everyone in the team, which has grown together to form a close-knit unit, works for each other.
Neymar and Barca fan
Enrico Peier, who learned the ABCs of football at FC Winznau and in the U-teams of FC Solothurn, subsequently played for Olten and Langenthal before joining Zug 94 via Schöftland. He reveals: “I was a Neymar fan even as a little kid. The creativity and skillful dribbling of the Brazilian superstar still inspire me today.” Because of Neymar, he also became a Barça fan and remained a fan, even though Neymar moved to al Hilal in Saudi Arabia.
Enrico Peier can only dream of the Brazilian’s many brilliant exploits. But he too may remember a special brilliant deed. «In the second cup round against Dornach, I and Schöftland were down 2-3 goals. In the last seconds of the game we were allowed to kick a corner, which I – standing at the back post – was able to convert with a direct shot to equalize 3-3 and force extra time.” Enrico Peier reveals: “I am ambitious on the football field, I play with passion. But I am able to assess my performance realistically. In my private life I am compassionate, but I also like to take time just for myself.”
Dream of the Champions League
He doesn’t know how far he’ll get in football. What is certain is that he is doing his best to achieve the maximum. “I would of course like to play in the Champions League,” he says with a mischievous smile, before adding: “Dreaming is allowed.” In addition to the dream of the Champions League, Enrico Peier has precise ideas. He reveals: “I would like to pursue a professional activity that requires contact with people – physiotherapist or sports teacher. And when I’m around 40 years old I want to emigrate. To Italy, Portugal or Brazil, just somewhere where it is warm and the sun shines from morning to evening.”
For now, train 94 still has priority. Muri will be a guest on Saturday (4 p.m., Hertiallmend). Nico Peier emphasizes: “We must not take any opponent lightly. I assume that the audience will enjoy a good game from two good quality teams. And I hope that we can take an early lead and get another three points.”
