After two good away draws against teams above us in the table it was time to host the reigning Swiss champions FC Zurich. However, FCZ are not currently playing as a champion, their current slump is fast becoming a crisis. Most recently OM put 6 goals behind them add to this embarrassment a modest 8th place in the table and the pressure is on coach Bernard Challandes to improve things before they go to play mighty Real in the huge Bernabeu stadium.
Dear Mr Stierli, could we please have a roof?
First they had to deal with the mighty FC Luzern in a wet Gersag. It’s a pity that FCL didn’t think the fans behind the goals deserved a roof when they extended the Emmenbrucke stadium. Given that ticket prices are the same as they were in the Allmend, where we not only had a better place on the side of the pitch but also a roof, its pretty obvious that the change is for the worse. Speaking about facilities, it can hardly be a surprise to the club that a few thousand fans wants to enter Zone 2 in the hour before the game, why is it then so hard to have adequate capacity on the turnstiles? Over 30 minutes wait in the rain is not really acceptable.
Luzern started the game well, first real chance came after only a couple of minutes when Chiumento had a shot saved by the FCZ keeper.
Early on it was pretty obvious that we were at least as good as Zurich, mostly because they weren’t playing that well in general but also missing key players such as Vonlanthen and Hassli.
FC Luzern remained in the driving seat throughout the first half having lots of possession and FCZ rarely if ever threatening Zibung. Frimpong had a reasonable shout for a penalty after the Zurich goalie seemed to touch his feet chasing a Ianu pass. Yakin who had a good game was also very close to scoring when he hit the post late in the first half.
Cautious optimism and watery kafi-schnaps at half-time.
The well deserved FCL goal finally came in the 57th minute when Yakin headed the ball to Frimpong who managed to hold off two Zurich defenders and slot the ball into the net.
The lead could and probably should have been extended when Yakin again served Chiumento with an excellent cross but the Zurich keeper somehow managed to put the ball out for a corner.
FC Zurich managed to get a few late chances and was awarded a free kick in a dangerous spot deep into extra time. Annoyingly for the Zurich attackers the referee decided to diligently blow the whistle exactly after 94 minutes, not following the usual approach of letting the play go on until the end of an attack.
Overall, a very good day for the FCL defense, Yakin again behind a number of good passes while Chiumento is getting more and more important to our game.
Singing in the rain
In the last three games (Xamax and YB away and now FCZ at home) we have taken five out of nine points, this must be seen as a good result. We are currently 4th in a very even table – only 8 points separating the second from eight place. The final two games before the winter break are St Gallen away and Aarau at home. We should have a good chance to take at least four points and go to the break in a top three place. If we do then I think its time to stop worrying about relegation and to focus on the top. Europa league anyone?
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JUST CAN'T BEAT THAT 
You’re right!!! we deserve a roof!!
great picture!
It is a great picture, looks more like Galatasaray than Gersag!
A roof would be great, as much for the atmosphere, as for staying dry. If FCL can build a whole new main stand in a few weeks, why cant they put a roof over Stehplatz 2?
Anyway as long as we keep winning (and drinking!) we wont notice the rain. Europe Europe here we come!
thanks – I was lucky to catch this guy flipping the bird to the Zurich guys.
You are right but we are pretty far from Galatasaray – both the Basel and FCZ away support have put zone 2 to shame recently. didn’t see that at the allmend.
Don’t quite agree with you. The problem is that acoustics is bad (another reason why we could use a roof). Ask a Zone 1er and he’d tell you that Zone 2 was marvellous and didn’t hear a thing from FCZ. However, i agree that it’s harder to create good support, the stand is too streched.
And to be honest, Basel away support is unique in Switzerland.
youre right about a roof, would make a huge difference. I just have a feeling that were not up to the standard set early in the season, against GC and Xamax for example. Still great to go to the games though – I’m not complaing at all – a few of the recent away games have been ok too.