The Grasshoppers pick up a surprising three points while short-handed. A dream goal from Tomas Verón Lupi secured a 1:0 win at FC Sion.
Until the 64th minute, there was almost nothing to suggest that Grasshoppers would win. The Zurich side were busy defending in the Tourbillon after Saulo Decarli was shown a red card. The central defender was shown the red card after less than four minutes for an elbow strike.
GC's luck ran out when Veron Lupi came on as a substitute at the break. The Argentinian, on loan from Racing Montevideo, won a duel with Sion captain Reto Ziegler after just over an hour and scored the winner with a superb shot via the inside of the post.
GC made the most of little, Sion made nothing of their opportunities. A goal by Théo Bouchlarhem was disallowed in the first half due to a close offside call by Ziegler in the preceding header duel. After 0:1, GC goalkeeper Justin Hammel and defender Dirk Abels saved the lead. The Dutchman Abels was in the right place twice in the 79th minute to clear the ball on the goal line.
Thanks to the three points, the Grasshoppers moved further away from the bottom of the table and confirmed the progress made under coach Tomas Oral. The record champions are unbeaten in five games.
Comments on the game
Man of the Match: Tsiy Ndenge (GC)
"He leads the way with Abrashi when outnumbered and clears what feels like 100 scenes. His value for this team is enormous."
blue Sport commentator Manuel Iseli
Telegram
Sion - Grasshoppers 0:1 (0:0)
8200 spectators. - SR Tschudi. - Goal: 64. Verón Lupi 0:1.
Sion: Fayulu; Hefti (63. Sorgic), Diouf, Ziegler, Marquinhos Cipriano; Kabacalman; Chipperfield (63. Bouriga), Berdayes (63. Miranchuk), Bua (28. Kololli); Chouaref, Bouchlarhem (81. Djokic).
Grasshoppers: Hammel; Schmitz, Decarli, Seko, Persson (46. Abels); Morandi (91. Schürpf), Abrashi, Ndenge, Kittel (13. Paskotsi); Irankunda (46. Verón Lupi), Bojang (46. Lasme).
Remarks: 4th red card against Decarli (rough foul). Cautions: 68 Hammel, 78 Verón Lupi.
The video ticker
FC Sion
Grasshopper Club Zurich
- (64.) 0:1 - Tomas Veron
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Liveticker
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Liveticker closed
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79.
Abels saves twice on the line - GC defends the lead
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64.
Verón Lupi with a dream goal - GC ahead while short-handed
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37.
Sion's opening goal is disallowed
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28.
GC create a good chance while short-handed
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5.
Horror start for GC: Decarli sent off after 2 minutes
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#
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#
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#
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90.+5.End of 2nd half
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90.+2.Substitution in Grasshopper Club Zurich
Pascal Schürpf
Midfielder
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90.+2.Substitution out Grasshopper Club Zurich
Giotto Morandi
Midfielder
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81.Substitution in FC Sion
Dejan Djokic
Striker
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81.Substitution out FC Sion
Théo Bouchlarhem
Striker
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78.Yellow card Grasshopper Club Zurich
Tomas Veron
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68.Yellow card Grasshopper Club Zurich
Justin Hammel
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64.Goal for Grasshopper Club Zurich, 0:1 through Tomas Veron
Tomas Veron
Striker
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63.Substitution in FC Sion
Anton Miranchuk
Midfielder
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63.Substitution out FC Sion
Théo Berdayes
Midfielder
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63.Substitution in FC Sion
Mouhsen Bouriga
Striker
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63.Substitution out FC Sion
Liam Chipperfield
Midfielder
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62.Substitution in FC Sion
Dejan Sorgic
Striker
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62.Substitution out FC Sion
Nias Hefti
Defender
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46.Substitution in Grasshopper Club Zurich
Dirk Abels
Defender
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46.Substitution out Grasshopper Club Zurich
Noah Persson
Defender
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46.Substitution in Grasshopper Club Zurich
Bryan Lasme
Striker
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46.Substitution out Grasshopper Club Zurich
Adama Bojang
Striker
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46.Substitution in Grasshopper Club Zurich
Tomas Veron
Striker
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46.Substitution out Grasshopper Club Zurich
Nestory Irankunda
Striker
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46.Kick-off 2nd half
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45.+6.End of 1st half
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28.Substitution in FC Sion
Benjamin Kololli
Midfielder
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28.Substitution out FC Sion
Kevin Bua
Midfielder
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13.Substitution in Grasshopper Club Zurich
Maksim Paskotsi
Defender
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13.Substitution out Grasshopper Club Zurich
Sonny Kittel
Midfielder
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4.Red card Grasshopper Club Zurich (direct)
Saulo Decarli
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1.Start of the match