So little was missing, and the great turning point of Lucerne would still have become a fact. In the 94th minute, Asumah Abubakar took another measure, but GC goalie André Moreira was able to ward off the impending debacle.
Because with the Grasshoppers everything went like clockwork. At half-time, the home side were leading 2-0, but the longer the game lasted, the more comfortable the Lucerne team began to feel in foreign Letzigrund.
Lucerners prove moral
After a good 55 minutes, the guests ignited a real offensive firework display, but the crowning glory was yet to come: First, Denis Simani saw his volley from 5 meters just past the goal (57th), then Marko Kvasina managed to head the ball straight at Moreira from just as short a distance to forward.
The “Lichtenstädter” were rewarded for their efforts in the 63rd minute – and it’s worth seeing: Abubakar, who came on as a substitute five minutes earlier, deflected a low cross from the right in the six-yard box with a heel to make it 1:2. The goal was well deserved and served as a further motivational boost for Lucerne.
Sidler after 57 seconds with a dream goal
What followed was a spectacular back and forth, with slight advantages for Lucerne. Filip Ugrinic (67th) and Dejan Sorgic (75th) had the 2: 2 on the foot, Brayan Riascos (76th) tasted the 3: 1 for Zurich.
At the latest after the traffic light card for Noah Loosli on the home team, coach Mario Frick’s team swung the scepter at will – and so it was hardly surprising when the deserved (and wonderful) equalizer came in the 90th minute: Silvan Silder, just 57 seconds the square, put the ball into the mesh.
In the first round, the Lucerne team made a mistake on the defensive. First and foremost Mohamed Dräger:
- 13 minutes: After a short corner kick, Ermir Lenjani crosses into the centre. There, Dräger is much too sluggish in the header duel with Arianit Arigoni, who can nod to the distant corner unhindered – 1:0.
- 28 minutes: The Grasshoppers hit the ball from their own penalty area. Instead of clearing the high liberating blow, Dräger heads it straight into the feet of the charging Giotto Morandi. His through pass becomes the template for Francis Momoh, who in turn makes Ardon Jashari look old and nets powerfully – 2:0.
The division of points does not bring much to either team. Lucerne, in 9th place, still has to worry about staying up in the league, GC is 5 points ahead of them in 8th place. The satisfaction of the two clubs should be limited.
Here’s how to proceed
GC will be guesting with Servette in Geneva next Saturday from 8:30 p.m. The SRF live game that day is FCZ vs. YB, which kicks off at 5:30 p.m. On Easter Monday (April 18 at 2:15 p.m.) Lucerne will be playing against FC St. Gallen at home.