Everything about the 25th matchday: Zeidler swipe against Henriksen, FCB worse than ever

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It is known that St. Gallen coach Peter Zeidler rarely misses a statement. Now he is lashing out at ex-FCZ coach Bo Henriksen, who has moved to the Bundesliga. The FCSG press conference on Friday was actually about Saturday’s match against Stade Lausanne-Ouchy, when Zeidler was asked whether he was surprised by Henriksen’s departure to Mainz. Zeidler’s answer: “If a bag of rice falls over in China, no one cares.” Topic ended. And any questions about whether Zeidler misses Henriksen have already been answered.

Breathe a sigh of relief at FCL. While five players were missing against FCZ last week due to illness, they all returned to training this week. However, against favorite opponents GC (a defeat in the last 18 games), only two will play from the start: Pius Dorn (27) and Max Meyer (28). “With them we once again have players at our disposal who move excellently between the lines. We have missed them both in recent weeks,” explains coach Mario Frick (49), who was also injured. Although new signing Adrian Grbic (27) can hope for a partial performance, the match comes too early for Kemal Ademi (28). Kevin Spadanuda (27) also remains out. After he had the flu, he broke his metatarsal bone during training.

The team from Basel has achieved a meager 28 points from 24 matches in the current season; FCB have never been this bad off since the Super League was founded. If Celestini’s team loses today in Yverdon, it would equal another negative record. Since 2003, there have only been thirteen defeats once: in the 2020/21 season under Ciriaco Sforza. The return of record player Fabian Frei gives hope. The captain was missing in the 2-1 defeat against the rankings, but is now ready for action again. However, Renato Veiga and Taulant Xhaka are suspended. The Fair Play assessment sends a salute.

Master YB landed in Switzerland yesterday afternoon after traveling to Lisbon to see Sporting. After landing we left Wankdorf. The demanding game in the Alvalade resulted in no new victims. Only the long-term injured Imeri, Benito and Ugrinic are missing from the top fight against Servette. Ali Camara and Anel Husic are back in the game for the European Cup match.

St. Gallen has gone five games without a win. With the 2-2 draw against Winterthur, the worst case scenario, namely a new negative record in the Peter Zeidler era, was at least averted. The home game on Saturday against bottom team Stade-Lausanne-Ouchy is extremely important in terms of the table. “There are also only three points to be won in this match,” says Zeidler. “But of course we have reached a crossroads and want to use the indicator correctly.” St. Gallen’s lead at the finish line is now just four points.

Victor Ruiz (30) played in St. Gallen for three and a half years before leaving eastern Switzerland for Saudi Arabia in the summer of 2022. Now the Spaniard is back. And is already back in the selection against SLO. Peter Zeidler promises the midfielder a short spell. “He seems very balanced, cheerful and positive,” said the trainer. He has lost none of his game intelligence or understanding of the game. “I think he will be able to help us, especially in March and April,” Zeidler said.

FC Luzern is the feared opponent waiting for the rankings on Saturday evening. Only one win has been recorded in the last 18 matches. What else speaks for GC? «Our carefreeness. We need to replace experienced players. We cannot do this with a snap of our fingers. But we have full confidence in our young players,” says coach Bruno Berner (46). In fact, four top players are missing: Dirk Abels, Amir Abrashi, Asumah Abubakar and Giotto Morandi. There is also a long list of injuries. But Berner is not afraid of the FCL. “In principle, I am not afraid of any other club. We are confident in what we are doing here and want to bring that to the pitch.” A win against Lucerne could see the Hoppers move within three points of the central Swiss side.

The match between Lugano and FC Zurich on Sunday (2.15 pm) is not just a match between third (FCZ) and fifth (Lugano). It is also a three-way battle between Jonathan Okita, Antonio Marchesano (both FCZ) and Lugano’s Zan Celar for the top scorer. They have each scored nine goals this season and can take the lead in the top scorers list with another goal. Chris Bedia (ex-Servette/10 goals) is still in the lead.

With assistant coach Murat Ural (35), the FCZ switched back to a back four against FC Luzern after a long time. The system already gave Ural preference as coach at FC Winterthur. It will probably remain that way for a while. The assistant coach does not attach (too) much importance to the system anyway. “It is more important to appear dominant.”

Source : Blick