FC Zurich wins 2-1 and takes a big step towards the championship title. (video: blue)
If there were any doubts regarding Zurich’s first championship title since 2009, they should have definitely disappeared since Saturday evening. FCZ celebrated their first away win in Bern in eight years thanks to a completely ripped-off performance in the 2-1 win over YB on Saturday evening. The soon to be dethroned master and his designated successor delivered a heated and intense game.
Clear chances did not appear for a long time. Only in the 22nd minute did the hosts provide some top-class football for the first time. Rieder forwarded his chest to Siebatcheu, who put his heel back on the YB youngster. Brecher prevented the 1-0 with a brilliant act.
The FCZ convinced more
The FCZ was actually the more convincing team in the first round. Led by the lively Gnonto, the Zurich team created good opportunities once more and once more, but the accuracy of the last pass was usually lacking. Ceesay missed his best chance just before the break, his weak shot didn’t cause von Ballmoos any problems. The Bernese almost struck just before the break (41st). Doumbia involuntarily extended a corner kick to Zesiger, who headed the ball just over the goal.
It took a great solo from Gnonto shortly following the restart for FCZ to finally get their first clear big chance. The Italian danced out the overwhelmed Lustenberger, but the 18-year-old then placed his shot from close range too centrally – von Ballmoos was able to save.
YB leadership is revoked
Great excitement then following a little more than an hour. After a cross from Ngamaleu, Elia went into a duel with Aliti with a slightly high leg, Siebatcheu nodded the rebound ball to make it 1-0. But referee San reacted immediately and disallowed the goal because of a stormer’s foul.
On the other hand, a nice Doumbia pass in depth to Kramer was enough to tear apart the entire Bernese defense. Zesiger only provided escort protection for the substitute Slovenian. Ballmoos caught the ball at an acute angle between his legs to make it 1-0 (74th).
And with Marchesano, the second Zurich joker was able to cheer shortly followingwards. Gnonto dribbled his way through the entire defence, while Kramer failed from close range, the FCZ playmaker did better on the second try – 2:0 for the leader. The Bernese mightn’t manage more than Sierro’s goal deep in injury time.
