Servette started the new season with a 2:1 win in Lucerne. The Central Swiss side are still not getting enough going.
Lucerne coach Mario Frick still has work to do before his team is in a position to make up for last season's disappointment. Of the three new signings in the starting line-up, striker Sinan Karweina was the most conspicuous as he missed the 1:1 three times from a good position. The young Aleksandar Stankovic, on loan from Inter Milan and playing his first ever game for the professionals, was substituted at the break. Andrejs Ciganiks, who set up Lars Villiger to make it 2-1 in the 92nd minute, was at his best.
Jesper Löfgren cut the most unfortunate figure for Luzern, fumbling a ball against Dereck Kutesa after less than four minutes and thus causing the early 0:1. When Lucerne had finally found their feet a little better after the break, it was once again the Swedish defender who looked bad when conceding the second goal. Steve Rouiller, who is not primarily known for his technical skills, tricked Löfgren and scored to make it 2-0.
Servette did not have to show all their skills in the first game under Thomas Häberli, who has replaced René Weiler, who has been promoted to sporting director. For most of the game, the cup winners controlled proceedings with their well-coordinated team in an unruffled manner. After 2-0 and into stoppage time, Servette were closer to a third goal than Luzern were to the first.
Telegram:
Luzern - Servette 1:2 (0:1)
10'254 spectators. - SR Horisberger. - Goals: 4. Kutesa 0:1. 58. Rouiller 0:2. 92. Villiger (Ciganiks) 1:2.
Lucerne: Loretz; Ottiger, Jaquez, Löfgren, Leny Meyer (46. Kadák); Stankovic (46. Winkler); Dorn, Beloko (71. Owusu), Ciganiks; Klidje (65. Villiger), Karweina (65. Toggenburger).
Servette: Mall; Tsunemoto, Rouiller, Baron, Mazikou (88. Severin); Ondoua (73. Douline), Cognat; Stevanovic, Antunes (88. von Moos), Kutesa (73. Magnin); Crivelli (65. Guillemenot).
Remarks: Cautions: 36th Ciganiks, 37th Leny Meyer, 62nd Beloko, 70th Ondoua, 83rd Baron.
SDA
