FC Luzern missed the lead in the league table with the 1:1 draw away at Letzigrund against FC Zurich.
FC Zurich – FC Luzern (Photos: fcl.fan-fotos.ch)
The match began with a bang from Lucerne. After an energetic ball recovery in midfield, Karweina took a courageous shot from around 14 meters and forced FCZ keeper Brecher to make a brilliant save. The subsequent corner again posed a threat: Dorn found plenty of space, shot, but only hit the post.
In the first quarter of an hour, FC Luzern dominated proceedings and continually made dangerous offensive moves. The logical consequence followed in the 21st minute: Rrudhani cleverly got past two Zurich defenders on the wing and brought the ball into the penalty area. After a precise passing combination, Villiger held his own against Katić and carefully passed the ball to the advancing Ciganiks, who confidently scored to take the lead.
Even after falling behind, the Zurich team struggled to get back into the game, partly because FC Luzern was aggressive in the tackles and skillfully closed off the spaces. So it remained quiet in front of Loretz’s goal throughout the first half, and he didn’t see a single dangerous shot coming his way.
FC Zurich started the second half with a clear exclamation mark: Ricardo Moniz brought on four fresh players in the 46th minute to turn the game around. The effect was immediately noticeable and just ten minutes later FCZ equalized after a corner. After surviving a period of pressure, FC Luzern once again posed a threat in front of the opponent’s goal in the 74th minute. Villiger and Karweina posed a goal threat with their actions in the penalty area.
The final phase was characterized by great hectic activity. At first, FCZ seemed to be taking the lead, but the Lucerne defense was able to clear the ball at the last second. In the immediate counterattack, FCL celebrated briefly: Dorn was launched perfectly, first hitting the post and then the goal with a follow-up shot. But the joy was short-lived, as the goal was disallowed for offside.
In the 86th minute, FCZ had the winning goal on their feet. Mathew shot from distance, but his sharp shot bounced off the inside post and back into the field – luckily for FCL. In injury time, Villiger had the chance to decide the game for Lucerne, but his shot was too weak to seriously threaten Brecher. In the immediate counterattack, Oko-Flex missed the last chance to decide the game with a powerful shot into the side netting. In the end, the two teams drew 1:1 in an exciting game with great chances on both sides.
At the start of the 14-day international break, FCL is in third place, level on points with FCZ (2nd/11 each). Servette is now in the lead with twelve points. Before the cup match on Sunday, 15 September (4 p.m.) in Aarau, the Lucerne team will play a test match in Vaduz next Friday (2 p.m.).
Telegram FC Zurich – FC Luzern 1:1 (0:1)
Letzigrund. – 16191. – Spectators. – SR Von Mandach.
Goals: 21. Ciganiks (Villiger) 0:1. 56. Perea (Gomez/Corner) 1:1.
Zurich: Brecher; Denoon (46. Kryeziu), Katic, Gomez, Tosic (46. Leidner); Chouiar (75. Oko-Flex), Condé, Marchesano; Junior Ligue (46. Mathew), Perea, Okita (46. Sabobo).
Lucerne: Loretz; Dorn, Jaquez, Knezevic, Ciganiks; October (75. Stankovic); Rrudhani (46. Spadanuda), Beloko; Carweina; Villiger, Klidje (75. Kadak).
Notes: Zurich without Conceiçao, Emmanuel, Goure and Krasniqi (all injured). Lucerne without Beka and Chader (both injured). – 5. Dorn hits the post. 78. Dorn offside goal. 86. Mathew hits the post. – Warnings: 12. Rrudhani, 16. Okita, 28. Knezevic, 40. Denoon, 52. Sabobo, 55. Leidner (all fouls), 95. Loretz (time wasting).
