Ricardo Moniz (60) is not a fan of the Nati break: “I’m glad that the two weeks without a game are over.” The FCZ coach, who sat in a Johan Cruyff sweater at the press conference before the 286th Zurich derby on Saturday, prefers to stay in the rhythm of the game – and complains about new injuries.
“Leidner, Tosic and Okita have a muscle injury and cannot play,” said Moniz. In addition, Gouré will undergo surgery – something that Nevio di Giusto has already undergone after breaking his metatarsal.
The most painful loss for the city club is probably the injury to Samuel Ballet. The wing suffered an injury in the game against Lugano and is expected to be out for another four weeks.
For Moniz it is the first derby as head coach of FC Zurich. He is aware that it is a special game: “The derby is extremely important for the city. Fans who don’t normally approach me wish us much success.” It is clear to him that his team has to perform differently than against St. Gallen and Lugano.
It sounds similar with the Grasshopper Club. Coach Marco Schällibaum (62) said before the derby: “Winterthur was one step back, now it needs two steps forward again.” But the GC coach is humble: “We’re not favorites, but let’s see.”
For the 62-year-old, derbies are still something special: “There used to be more people from Zurich in the team. But our boys identify with the club, they feel that they need a win against their rivals.”
Schällibaum is well aware that the derbies can sometimes get tougher: “We used to have things fly in the derbies from time to time, and that’s part of a derby.”
Meanwhile, GC sports director Stephan Schwarz is feeling a bit nervous. «I personally experienced city derbies in Munich. I know how important a victory like this is,” said Schwarz. “There is a certain tension.”
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