Christian Constantin: “I’m going to say a little word to the team”

Basel-Sion is undoubtedly the shock poster of the round of 16. The Valais residents are also preparing to return to Parc Saint-Jacques which, against the same opponent, saw them win their thirteenth Swiss Cup (3-0 on June 7, 2015). “It was a magnificent final, well prepared and approached, with a coach who will be the same this Wednesday evening,” Christian Constantin readily remembers.

More than nine years later, the context is certainly different, with an issue that will not be the same either. For Sion, the victory against Winterthur (3-1) made it possible to better prepare for the Basel meeting. “We are less stuck at the bottom of the ranking. It was the success that was needed to break away from it. Surprisingly, we find ourselves 9 points from the lead while also being 9 points ahead of the last one.”

When two Super League teams face each other in the Cup, is there a favorite or does the competition obey other criteria, perhaps more linked to mentality? “When Basel hosts at home,” says the Tourbillon boss, “he is clearly always the favorite.”

A label that will not prevent Sion from destroying the assets it holds in its game. “As long as there is 0-0, we will not be eliminated,” its president aptly recalls. But if we can do more, we will.”

To create the conditions for what would remain an exploit, Didier Tholot’s training will have to bring together several ingredients. Christian Constantin even sees five: “We will first have to be courageous, it is imperative. Solidity will be just as important, as will the state of mind. Being efficient will also be imperative. Finally, displaying collective strength will be obligatory…”

Absent at the Schützenwiese, CC will of course accompany Sion to Santiago. At this stage of the competition, no special motivation sessions will be organized in the hours preceding kick-off. “However, I will say a little word to the team…”

Returning with a good point from its trip to the Rhine, Lausanne showed this weekend that it was possible to hang on to the leader at home. Which FCB will we see in action this time? “I expect the same FC Basel as in the championship,” replies our interlocutor.

Popular enthusiasm remains curiously very modest – only 12,800 tickets were sold. The Rhine club should therefore break the “record” for the lowest attendance of the season, established so far by the reception of FC Lugano in front of 19,866 spectators on July 27.

Zion will always be without Anton Miranchuk. Despite infiltrations and conservative treatment, the Russian midfielder has not yet recovered from chronic inflammation. It’s annoying as his presence could allow the Valaisans to change dimension. “He still suffers from an injury close to pubalgia but which is not really one.”

In a few hours, Reto Ziegler will be the last survivor of the 2015 final. In all likelihood, he should be sitting on the Valais bench this time. His employer is not indifferent to this. “All players who have had a great career like Reto’s one day see the path narrow, it’s the cycle of life. We are all faced with it,” concludes CC.

This first week of December promises to be busy for the people of Valais. Three days after the Saint-Jacques meeting, Sion will host Young Boys at Tourbillon on Saturday (kick-off 6 p.m.).

June 7, 2015, Basel – Sion 0-3 (0-2)