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Coach André Breitenreiter and leader Blerim Dzemaili are surprisingly reserved before the “classic”.
It would be the bittersweet dream of every FCZ fan and the culmination of a strong season: FC Zurich clinch their 10th Swiss championship title in Basel of all places. But in Zurich, expectations are not raised too high before the explosive summit meeting.
Supposed Zurich serenity
André Breitenreiter is also aware of the special opportunity that his team has in the rival’s stadium. While FCZ have functioned well under pressure so far in the second half of the season, the German head coach is nonetheless keen to be relaxed and diplomatic ahead of the landmark clash at St. Jakob-Park. “A great backdrop awaits us, and many fans from Zurich will also be there.”
There are no parallels to 2006.
However, he doesn’t want to draw a comparison with Finalissima 2006: “There are no parallels. At that time it was the last championship game and it was about everything for both clubs. » 16 years later, with the guest appearance in Basel, FCZ now has the chance to make everything clear early on in the championship race. Even if the explosiveness is not the same, the 48-year-old expects “a special ‘classic’ for both sides.”
Dzemaili’s appeal to the team
Blerim Dzemaili is also aware of this. He made his first game in FCZ dress in 2003 – also against Basel. Now the veteran has the chance to win the title again in his return season against the same opponent. But the trophy is not the focus for the 36-year-old on Sunday. His team should rather enjoy this game, according to Dzemaili, who speaks plainly: “We don’t have to be champions in Basel.”
And while Dzemaili speaks of a “big lead and four more chances” and Breitenreiter dismisses “the step across the finish line” as the hardest, as is well known, the rest of Switzerland is wondering: Is Zurich really hot for the second championship bash at the knee of the Rhine?