The Xamaxiens host FC Aarau this Friday at La Maladière as part of the 18th and final day of this first part of the championship.
The Rouge et Noir are not approaching this meeting in the best conditions. Indeed, Uli Forte’s players have only pocketed three points out of a possible fifteen during the last five meetings. Over this period, only AC Bellinzona collected fewer points than the Xamaxiens. This situation had an impact on the provisional ranking since the Neuchâtelois fell to 6th place in the table. However, they remain only five units behind the second place currently occupied by Étoile Carouge.
Uli Forte’s players will have to find the key to getting back on track after a defeat against FC Stade Nyonnais last weekend. During this meeting, the Xamaxiens generally dominated the debates with 16 shots including 9 on target on Melvin Mastil’s cage. Lacking offensive efficiency and with too much defensive excitement, the Rouge et Noir have unfortunately suffered the law of the current red lantern.
Facing the Xamaxians stands a team with the opposite dynamic. The Argives remain on a series of four matches without defeat, with two wins and two draws. This good dynamic allowed them to move up the rankings after a failed start to the championship. During the final match, played in front of 4,248 spectators, Brunello Iacopetta’s players quickly took the lead by opening the score through Fazliu, perfectly served by Touré. On a pitch made difficult by the weather conditions, the Brügglifeld players suffered in the second half. The Stadistes even came close to equalizing at the very end of the match when Heule adjusted Marvin Hübel’s bar. The Argovians can also explain their revival by a rediscovered defensive base. Indeed, they have the best defense in the championship over the last five matches. Offensively, the coach can also count on many assets. Valon Fazliu, the inevitable, already has six goals and an assist to his credit. Around him, several players also “scored” including former Xamaxian Koide and Emanuel Ernest (4 goals each). Yannick Touré, former Young Boys player, scored five.
The challenge looks set to be met for our Red and Black. However, the Neuchâtelois can rely on the precedents between the two teams. Uli Forte’s players remain on two consecutive wins against the Argives, both times with a score of 3 to 1. During the first duel of the season, played at Brügglifeld, Euclides Cabral was the author of a superb double to put the Xamaxiens on the right track.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
The esplanade will open from 6:00 p.m. with the presence of a food truck and children’s entertainment. As a reminder, holders of a match ticket or a subscription can benefit from the round trip to Maladière offered 2 hours before and 2 hours after the matches in zones 10 and 11 thanks to our partner TransN. You can buy your tickets directly from our online ticket office or from 6:45 p.m. at the ticket booths at the stadium entrance.
We are already looking forward to seeing you at the Stade de la Maladière this Friday!
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