- FC Zurich narrowly lost their last group game in the Europa League at Arsenal 0-1.
- The Swiss champion sniffs the point against the Premier League leader, but does not reward himself for a good performance.
- The defeat sealed the end of Zurich’s European Cup season. The FCZ ended Group A in last place.
Adrian Guerrero would have loved to celebrate the 1-1 equalization in the 68th minute in front of the numerous FCZ fans who had traveled with them. But the Zurich outsider already suspected it: he was offside when he shot the ball. The hit didn’t count. Annoying, especially since Antonio Marchesano had just finished from the best position, but his attempt proved to be too imprecise. Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale was able to save to the side.
It shouldn’t stop at this one good chance of equalization for the FCZ. Joker Bogdan Vjunnik plucked up courage in the 80th minute, fueled himself up to the edge of the penalty area and took a powerful shot. However, the Ukrainian’s missile hissed just past the far top corner of the goal. Coach Bo Henriksen’s team then threw everything forward, but the Swiss champions didn’t want to get the well-deserved equalizer.
Legend:
All the tugging was useless in the end
Nikola Boranijasevic in a duel with goalscorer Kieran Tierney.
Keystone/EPO/NEIL HALL
Tierney sole scorer
While the result is sobering for FCZ due to the way the game went, you can be quite satisfied with the performance of Zurich. The guests got off to a good start and kept the game balanced for long stretches. Accordingly, the opening goal for the English came out of nowhere in the 17th minute. After the FCZ hadn’t cleared the ball, defender Kieran Tierney volleyed from almost 18 meters and didn’t give Yanick Brecher a chance to defend himself.
The Premier League leader, who thanks to the 3 points secured the group victory and thus the direct round of 16 ticket in the Europa League, showed a mixed performance. While various regulars such as Gabriel Jesus, Ben White and Gabriel Magalhaes were used by the “Gunners” from the start, Nati captain Granit Xhaka missed the second duel with FCZ due to a yellow card suspension.
FCZ only dances at one wedding
Zurich would have needed an away win to be able to spend the winter in Europe. But it is Bodö/Glimt, who are third in the group behind Arsenal and PSV Eindhoven and can continue playing in the Conference League in spring 2023. The 2-1 defeat against PSV remained unaffected for the Norwegians due to FCZ’s defeat at Arsenal.
This means that the FCZ can now fully devote themselves to the national championship, where they are 6 points behind the penultimate Winterthur at the end of the table. In the Swiss Cup, the champion failed in the 1/16 finals at Challenge League team Lausanne-Sport.