This is one of the recurring problems with this Xamax version 2021/2022. One of his limits, too, when preparing for an upcoming exercise where he hopes to get involved a little more in the first places: the offensive is regularly struggling. Admittedly, Andrea Binotto and his staff have extenuating circumstances. Starting with the youth of the workforce, a constraint both imposed – by the economic situation of the club – and assumed. This succession is still tender and in the process of learning. But this argument cannot forever excuse Neuchâtel deficiencies in the offensive sector. Against Aarau on Friday evening, the Reds and Blacks finished the match having attempted just three shots, and none found the target. Too few to hope to win.
Opposite, the Argovians did not prove to be much more dangerous. Moreover, with the exception of the free kick – marvelous – scored by Rrudhani in the 84th minute, they did not make any other attempts in the second half. It wasn’t necessary, since they had covered the essentials first. Before Balaj’s opener at half an hour (30th), Guivarch had worked in front of him (9th) and Spadanuda (12th), author of the break goal before the break (45th + 1).
Positive, all the same. Facing the 3rd in Challenge League, Xamax showed some interesting sequences. In particular in the pressing, with daring exits from his side in the opposing half of the field, or on certain sequences of possession. This Xamax has weapons but if it intends to play the leading roles in the future, it will really have to take a step forward.
Winterthur and Schaffhausen failed to decide (1-1) in the other match of the 32nd day of the Challenge League scheduled for Friday evening. The Schaffhousois, whose second place in the standings was threatened by Aarau’s victory in Neuchâtel a little earlier (3-0), opened the scoring in the 9th minute thanks to Gonzalez. Buess, from the penalty spot, tied the two teams following the hour mark (63rd). A capital goal since it allows Winterthur to extend their unbeaten streak to seven matches and, above all, to keep their place as leader.
The end of the season promises to be exciting: with four games to go, the first three stand at a small point.
