Frick promotes homegrown players: Juniors prevent FCL crisis

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In the spirit of homegrown crops. This is the slogan of Lucerne’s resurrection. The young wild animals made it possible to win against Lausanne when they were outnumbered. With countless saves from goalkeeper Pascal Loretz (20), the winning goal from Severin Ottiger (20) and the willingness to escape from debutant Levin Winkler (20). If referee Johannes von Mandach had not blown his whistle, the latter would probably still be in the race.

Winkler is already the tenth Super League debutant under Mario Frick (49), who comes directly from the U21s. The stick is full. «It’s our philosophy. It’s even better if it turns out this way. Levin played an incredible debut. “He had a lot of confidence on the ball and was strong in running,” the Liechtensteiner says enthusiastically about his new midfielder.

In the wake of well-known football greats

Even though Winkler is described as a homegrown man, he is not from Central Switzerland. He was born in Liestal BL. Such as the twins Degen (40), Adrian Knup (55) and Mihailo Stevanovic (22), who also played in Lucerne until the summer of 2023 but are now under contract with St. Gallen.

As a bidder from Basel, Winkler went through the entire youth rankings at FC Basel. But he didn’t make it to the professionals. That’s why he moved to Central Switzerland last summer, where he immediately made his mark in the U21 team. As a reward, the selection for the training camp in Marbella was received in December.

In southern Spain, Winkler seized the opportunity. “He stood out the most among the new guys,” Frick said happily in early January. A few weeks later, despite being outnumbered, he made his competitive debut in a major match that decided between crisis and liberation.

The latter has arrived, partly thanks to Winkler. Frick is happy accordingly. “We saw correctly that he is very close to the first team.” So his next appearance is only a matter of time.

Source : Blick