Grasshopper will still play in the Super League next season. After a draw (1-1) against Thun in the first leg of the promotion-relegation play-off, Marco Schällibaum’s players won 1-2 on Friday evening at the Stockhorn Arena.
The Zurich residents quickly took the lead by scoring in the 3rd minute. Giotto Morandi, alone in the middle of the opposing 16 meters, cushioned a cross from Dirk Abels with his chest and volleyed home. His ball, deflected by the Thun defense, left goalkeeper Mateo Matic no chance.
From then on, GC hesitated between continuing to attack and retreating to maintain this advantage. A dangerous little game which allowed Mauro Lustrinelli’s players to take the game into their own hands and multiply the opportunities.
And what was supposed to happen happened: in the 41st minute, while the ball was hanging around Zurich’s 16 meters, Tsiy Ndenge committed a foul on Jan Bamert, which the referee sanctioned with a penalty. Koro Koné then beat Justin Hammel and brought the two teams to a tie.
Came back with better intentions in the second half – did they have other solutions? -, the Zurich residents then matched the hosts. But no one found a solution. The entry into play of Asumah Abubakar, in the 68th minute, then energized the game of the Sauterelles.
Very restless on the right side, the Portuguese was at the conclusion of the victorious goal. In the 91st minute, from a corner, he collected the ball just in front of the goal line and transformed the chance into a goal, allowing his team to save their season.
The Thounois lost a play-off match for the third time and will play in the Challenge League next season.
