Winterthur – GC: The canton derby in the live ticker

Nick Erne

Published today at 7:55 p.m

Morandi and Kittel combine into the Winterthur penalty area. There Morandi trips over Stillhart’s foot. However, the contact is clearly initiated by the Zurich resident, which is why the Grasshoppers’ protests quickly disappear.

Frei grabs a ball and passes it to Di Giusto, who shifts the game to the left to Schättin. But his cross gets stuck.

And the free kick caused the first excitement: Kittel circled the ball onto Paskotsi’s head. This forces Kapino to do his first brilliant deed.

The second foul of the game resulted in the first warning. Schneider falls Persson and sees yellow.

Hammel has to parry another shot, but the GC goalkeeper still doesn’t break a sweat. A few moments later, Schärer relieved Winterthur with a free kick whistle after Di Giusto was caught in Zurich’s press. It is, of course, the first foul in this derby, which has so far been conducted very fairly.

It is still striking how deep Winterthur is here. Even striker Bajrami defends just a few meters from his own box. By the way, he has just reported a hand penalty to referee Schärer. The video referee refrains from intervening.

Now the Winterthur team combine forward from the right. Lüthi finds Stillhart, who launches Di Giusto. This is how FCW comes to the first corner of the game. GC can’t really break free from the temporary hold, but Schneider’s attempt from around 25 meters flies well over Hammel’s goal.

The Grasshoppers are mostly controlling the game in this starting phase, but the FCW has been consistently defending its penalty area so far. I can’t tell you any really relevant penalty area scenes yet.

The Grasshoppers’ followers are happy for the first time, even fireworks are set off. However, the celebration was quickly nipped in the bud as the supposed goalscorer Lee was clearly offside.

The ball falls to Seko’s feet on the edge of the penalty area, but his direct shot flies into the safety net. In return, the GC defense escaped Lukembila. But Hammel will probably only have a weary smile left for his graduation.

GC lets the ball circulate within their own ranks and tries to lure FCW out of reserve. So far this has only been successful to a limited extent; Winterthur, like Lugano, is very low. All Eulachstadt players are currently defending behind the center line. Kapino then has to parry a first shot, but the FCW goalkeeper is not really challenged yet.

Schärer has to interrupt the game because there is apparently a technical problem with the referee team. However, this is quickly remedied by the fourth official and the ball rolls again.

Now it starts on the Schützenwiese, GC toasts.

Before kick-off, FCW defender Tobias Schättin will be honored. Last week he played his 200th game in the red and white jersey against Lugano.

The two parties have entered the green. Everything is set for a thrilling Canton Zurich derby, both fan camps are heating up once again. Let’s hope that a spectacle will follow on the field.

There isn’t much going for FC Winterthur in the current situation. But if you look at the recent past, the FCW was something of a fearsome opponent for the Grasshoppers. The last three meetings all ended with a victory for the Eulachstädter team.

In around ten minutes, referee Schärer will release the Zurich canton derby. The Schützenwiese is already packed.

The first two games of this ninth round of the championship were already played in the afternoon: neo-table leaders Lucerne cannot manage a 2-2 draw at home against Lausanne. Yverdon also wrests a draw from Sion in Valais.

Four points and three places in the table separate the two teams. What they have in common is their relative lack of danger in front of the goal. GC and Winterthur are ranked 10th and 12th both in terms of statistically expected (xG) and actual goals scored. At FCW, however, the offensive dry spell is even more drastic. The Eulachstadt team were only able to celebrate five goals in the first eight games. Also, no Winterthur player has netted yet who doesn’t have the name Di Giusto or Bajrami on their back.

Hammel is in the GC goal, in front of him coach Schällibaum relies on Persson, Tobers, Paskotsi and Abels in defense. Ndenge and Seko occupy the double six, Morandi starts at ten. On the wings, Kittel and Choinière will try to serve Lee in the center of the attack.

Captain Abrashi is not in the game due to injury, and Schmitz also loses his place in the starting line-up. Seko and Abels are on the pitch for the two today.