The Letzigrund stadium – scene of Swiss football misfortunes

The Swiss national team has rarely shone at the Letzigrund Stadium in Zurich. There is a crucial game on Friday that will decide whether the team stays in the Nations League.

The Swiss national team faces a crucial challenge at the Letzigrund Stadium in Zurich. After a long series of disappointing results, the upcoming game against Serbia must be won to avoid relegation in the Nations League. Pierluigi Tami, director of national teams, emphasized the importance of this game: “There is a chance to avoid relegation. We will give everything for that.”

A stadium with a mixed history

The Letzigrund is closely linked to FC Zurich, but outside of the Zurich city club the stadium is not very popular in football circles. The tartan track that surrounds the pitch creates a distance not present in traditional football stadiums and contributes to the atmosphere often being perceived as less atmospheric.

Since the Hardturm was demolished in 2007, Letzigrund has been the home of the Swiss national team in Zurich. But the relationship between the team and the stadium was difficult from the start. The Grasshoppers fans, who also play in Letzigrund, emphasize at every home game that they are there “despite exile”.

Looking back at bitter defeats

The Swiss’ first and only victory in Letzigrund dates back to October 13, 2007, when coach Köbi Kuhn’s team defeated Austria 3-1. But just a month later there was a bitter 0-1 defeat against Nigeria. This defeat was just a taste of what was to come.

In September 2008, Switzerland suffered one of the most painful defeats in their history when they lost 2-1 to Luxembourg in a World Cup qualifier. This “defeat of the century” was sharply criticized by the tabloid “Blick” and other media. The team’s performance was described as “absolutely miserable” and “simply catastrophic”.

Looking for redemption

After the embarrassment against Luxembourg, the national team only returned to Letzigrund for test matches seven years later. However, results continued to be disappointing: draws against the USA and Kosovo and a defeat against Bosnia.

Now is the opportunity for reconciliation. A win against Serbia would bring Switzerland level on points with the Serbs and preserve the chance of staying in the Nations League. Despite the low importance of the competition, Letzigrund is finally about something again. The question remains whether the team can seize the opportunity or whether the stadium will once again become the scene of disappointment.

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