FC Zurich fail to draw level with leaders Basel in the 287th Zurich city derby with Grasshoppers. The match ends 1:1. Unusual events unfold in the stands and in front of the stadium.
In the initially spooky atmosphere, Mounir Chouiar scored for FCZ after just 36 seconds. However, things did not go the way of the third-placed team, who could have drawn level with leaders Basel with a win, but failed to win for the fourth time in a row.
The Grasshoppers, who had been winless since the end of September, equalized in the 41st minute through Tsiy Ndenge, and because Zurich's Umeh Emmanuel carelessly picked up two cautions between the 38th and 45th minutes, GC played more than a half with a superior number of players. It was the fourth sending-off in the last five games for Zurich, who had been undisciplined of late.
Katic saves in extremis
The game changed noticeably as a result. FCZ's initial dominance led to a second half in which the Grasshoppers had around 80 percent possession and only missed out on victory thanks to a save by Nikola Katic. In the 71st minute, after a cross from Giotto Morandi, Katic just managed to get his toe to the ball before Lee Young-jun, who was ready to shoot from close range.
Incidentally, Chouiar was still 28 seconds away from scoring the fastest Super League goal. Former Sion players Ermir Lenjani (2019 against Luzern) and Moussa Konaté (2015 against St. Gallen) share the record with their goals after eight seconds each.
Empty GC sector and silent south curve
Immense security precautions and a large police contingent prevented a confrontation between the two fan camps before the match. However, they ensured that chaotic conditions prevailed outside the stadium hours before kick-off, the GC fans' guest sector at Letzigrund initially remained empty and the derby initially took place in an eerie atmosphere.
The GC fans' corner remained empty at first because many visitors were stopped and intensively searched by the police outside the stadium and the rest of the block stayed outside in solidarity. It also remained quiet temporarily in the home team's south curve. The FCZ fans were demonstrating against collective punishment.
The two teams will meet again on Tuesday (20:00) in the round of 16 of the Swiss Cup at the Letzigrund. GC will be the home team in the upcoming reunion.
Telegram:
Zurich - Grasshoppers 1:1 (1:1)
18'537 spectators. - SR Piccolo. - Goals: 1. (0:36) Chouiar 1:0. 41. Ndenge (Lee) 1:1.
Zurich: Brecher; Katic, Gómez, Kryeziu; Kamberi, Mathew (61. Conde), Krasniqi, Rodrigo Conceição (88. Markelo); Ballet (22. Sabobo/88. Marchesano), Emmanuel, Chouiar (61. Ligue).
Grasshoppers: Hammel; Abels, Paskotsi, Seko, Persson; Morandi, Abrashi (79. Meyer), Kittel (87. Schürpf); Maurin (46. Muci), Ndenge; Lee (87. Turhan).
Remarks: 45th yellow-red card against Emmanuel. Cautions: 9th Maurin, 38th Emmanuel, 38th Morandi, 45th Seko, 61st Abrashi, 67th Rodrigo Conceição, 94th Meyer, 94th Kamberi.
SDA
