9 out of 10 import permits wasted, form fluctuations, injuries: bankruptcies, bad luck and accidents among Rappi foreigners

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Was that liberation? Or even the turning point? The relief could be read on the faces of the (foreign) Lakers players. With two goals within three minutes they turned the game against Kloten in the final third. The 5:3 victory was important in the battle to keep track of the top places. Because the Lakers lost this in the first half of the season. They were unlucky, especially unlucky with the foreigners’ injuries.

Emil Djuse (30), the most important defender, missed the start of the season because the serious foot injury he suffered in the first play-off quarter-final against EVZ had not yet recovered. As soon as he returned, the injured area continued to bother the Swede. After 16 games he was out again. Djuse’s return is expected early this year.

Brett Connolly (31), signed by Lugano, did not have the influence he had hoped for. The Canadian seemed too sedate for the fast playing style. It turned out: his hip problems, which were known to have plagued him in Lugano, are more serious than they were classified during the pre-season medical check-up. Doubtful: the striker had to undergo hip surgery after just nine appearances – at the end of the season.

Victor Rask (30) suffered the same fate, but with a shoulder injury. This was after the Swede had struggled for a long time and played with torn bones in his hand and foot (from the puck). Only to suffer such a heavy fall on his shoulder in a match against Geneva before the December holidays that surgery was unavoidable.

Noreau hit by the puck

Ten days earlier, Maxim Noreau (36) was out. His unlucky moment: a last hard shot during training hit the Canadian in the hand – broken finger, surgery. The defender should not make his comeback until mid-January at the earliest. Sports director Janick Steinmann responded and signed defender Zac Leslie (29). The Canadian has been flawless in his four appearances so far. But? His wife is heavily pregnant and as soon as the birth is announced, he travels home briefly.

With Leslie, the ninth out of ten foreigner permits have already been wasted. The eighth went to Martin Frk (30). The powerful Czech came to Rappi-Jona from SCB at the beginning of November. But after seven games it was temporarily over for the striker: Frk received five match bans for his kick to the head of Lausanne’s Pilut. He has now served three of them.

And there is the ‘trio grande’ with its variations in form. Above all, Roman Cervenka (38). The captain led the Lakers from victory to victory last season. In this championship he was (too) often just a shadow of his former self, until the day before yesterday? After twelve games without scoring, he scored against Kloten. The normally reserved Czech cheered emotionally and was relieved. What’s behind his lack of form? Cervenka keeps a low profile.

Schroeder with jamming

Jordan Schroeder (33) had to wait 28 games for his first goal. The American striker was almost desperate. “It was frustrating and it has never happened to me like this in my career.” He often argued with himself and is now hoping for the ketchup effect after his two goals. Nicklas Jensen (30) scored the most goals (5) among the loanees until Cervenka equalized. The Dane has to put in a lot of effort and misses too many opportunities.

But attributing the Lakers’ low point solely to the foreigner issues wouldn’t be digging deep enough. Their lack of form also affects their Swiss teammates and their overall self-confidence, coach Stefan Hedlund (48) confirms. He had moments when he wondered if the violent misfortunes would never end. “Hockey is a fair sport. At some point we will be rewarded if we persevere. Overcoming such setbacks strengthens the character of the team.”

Source : Blick