Because FCZ is not getting stronger: transfer flop Santini gets a new chance

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Zurich coach Bo Henriksen (48) has been yearning for a new striker for weeks. The Dane in mid-June: “Last season we didn’t score 1,000 goals.” There were 41 hits, just as few as relegated Sion and exactly half of champion YB.

But at the start of the season against Yverdon, no new striker appears in the Letzigrund. With the exception of returning loan spell Donis Avdijaj (26) and Nils Reichmuth (21), the Attack department is the same as last season.

Henriksen and also chairman Ancillo Canepa (70) therefore speak for the existing team at the media event for the new season on Friday in FCZ’s home base. In the storm, even transfer flop Ivan Santini (34) gets a new chance, although Zurich would let the former Croatian international go in the winter with a suitable offer.

Disastrous record in the Super League

Santini stayed, missed the entire second half of the season after undergoing inner tube surgery, and is suddenly back in the game – despite his disastrous Super League record of zero goals, four yellow cards and one red.

In Henriksen’s centre-forward hierarchy, Santini is now number 2 behind top scorer Aiyegun Tosin (25). The FCZ coach says about the Croatian: “We changed our system a bit, it could be easier for him now. He has had a good preparation. But it’s up to him now.” Because Zurich will probably play more often in the 4-3-3 system, the 1.90 meter high tower Santini must be able to count on more crosses.

Will that be enough for Santini, after his adventures in China and Saudi Arabia and his false start in Zurich, to return to his heydays at Anderlecht and in Ligue 1 at Caen?

FCZ’s hope against Yverdon rests primarily on Tosin. Henriksen: “One of the best strikers in the Super League.” Actually, the Benin national player should be sold with the contract that expires in 2024. But so far no offer has been received that corresponds to FCZ’s request of two to three million francs.

Source : Blick