Second Matchday in Switzerland: Aarau on top!

The results of the first two matchdays have proved that I’m incompetent when it comes to making predictions. I was sure Aarau would be at the bottom of the standings by the end of the year, yet now they are on top happily enough, thanks to a very dangerous striker called Ianu.

STANDINGS:
(Name, Points, Games Played, Wins, Losses, Draws, Goals Scored, Goals Conceded)
1. FC Aarau 6, 2, 2, 0, 0, 5-1
2. FC Basel 6, 2, 2, 0, 0, 3-1
3. FC Zurich 6, 2, 2, 0, 0, 3-1
4. Neuchatel Xamax FC 3, 2, 1, 1, 0, 3-3
5. FC Sion 3, 2, 1, 1, 0, 3-4
6. FC Vaduz 3, 2, 1, 1, 0, 2-3
7. AC Bellinzona 0, 1, 0, 1, 0, 1-2
8. Grasshopper Zurich 0, 1, 0, 1, 0, 0-1
9. BSC Young Boys 0, 2, 0, 2, 0, 2-4
10. FC Luzern 0, 2, 0, 2, 0, 1-3

And this matchday’s results were as follows:

FC Basel – Grasshopper Zurich 1-0 (1-0)
Saint Jakob Park, 23,915 spectators. Referee: Zimmermann
45th Perovic
FC Basel: Costanzo; Zanni, Abraham, Marque, Safari (81′Hodel); Huggel; Frei (71′Rubio), Ergic, Gjasula, Perovic (64′Chipperfield); Derdiyok.
Grasshopper Club: Jakupovic; Voser, Vallori, Smiljanic, Mikari; Salatic, Colina; Zarate (75′Sabanovic), Rinaldo (58′Touré), Lulic (85′Ri.Cabanas); Bobadilla

FC Basel haven’t lost a home game since the 5th of August 2006. A wonderful free kick by Serbian Perovic settled the game. They also hit the woodwork twice in the first half and were quite content with the score in the second half.

FC Zurich – FC Luzern 1-0 (1-0)
Letzigrund, no spectators (disciplinary decision), Referee: Studer
18th Rochat
FC Zurich: Leoni; Lampi, Stahel, Barmettler, Rochat; Aegerter, Tico (65′M.Buechel); Nikci (73′Ladner), Abdi, Djuric (90′Stucki); Hassli.
FC Luzern: Zibung; E.Zverotic (88′Karanovic), R.Schwegler, B.Diarra (20′Wiss), C.Lustenberger; Renggli, Seoane; Ferreira (86′Schirinzi), Chiumiento, Mesbah; Ravasi.

Not a memorable game for sure. FC Zurich second win coincides with Luzern’s second defeat, the match being settled by an early goal by Alain Rochat.

AC Bellinzona – Neuchatel Xamax FC 1-2 (0-1)
Stadio Comunale, 4786 spectators, Referee: Petignat
0-1 40th Rossi, 52nd 1-1 Sermeter (P), 63rd Chihab 1-2
AC Bellinzona: Gritti; Miccolis, Mangiarratti, La Rocca, Raso; Sermeter, Mehmeti, Rivera (76′Di Zenzo), Gashi (70′Roux); Neri (89′Conti), Lustrinelli.
Neuchatel Xamax: G.Faivre; Nuzzolo, Hodzic (30′Furios), Besle, Edjenguele (78′Rak); Bah, Chihab; Rossi, Szlykowicz; Taljevic, Brown (64′Joao Paulo)

Neuchatel Xamax got its revenge following last year’s Swiss Cup Semifinal loss to the same opponents and ruined Bellinzona’s celebrations on their first game in the Super League in 18 years!
The Ticino side squandered many chances with the visitors’ keeper, a very promising talent, giving his team a hand in grasping the win. A generous penalty had given the hosts hope but Neuchatel’s overall quality prevailed in the end.

FC Sion – Young Boys 2-1 (0-1)
Tourbillon, 13,000 Spectators. Referee: Bertolini
0-1 25th Kali (Own Goal), 1-1 64th Monterrubio (P), 79th Adeshina 2-1. Serey Die (Sion) RED CARD 42nd minute.
FC Sion: El-Hadary; Vanczak, Kali, Nwaneri, Buehler; Serey Die, Ahoueya; Reset (76′Alioui), Crettenand (46′Brellier), Monterrubio; Saborio (46′Adeshina).
Young Boys: Woelfli; C.Schwegler, Zayatte, Ghezal, Schneider; M.Schneuwly (65′Baykal), Yapi, Hochstrasser, Raimondi; Eudis (71′Frimpong), Haeberli (50′Luescher).

There were mixed feelings for Sion’s latest transfers. Serey Die was shown a second yellow card at the end of the first half while Monterrubio scored his first goal on a penalty kick thanks to a pointless foul by Schneider on Reset. The first half was a very unfortunate one for Sion who also had to cope with an own goal scored by defender Kali. Yet Stielike’s men were devastating in the second half and managed to defeat the Bernese team (in last year’s season they had lost all 4 games to Young Boys).

FC Vaduz – FC Aarau 0-2 (0-1)
Rheinpark, 2035 Spectators. Referee: Hanni.
0-1 38th Ianu, 0-2 49th Rogerio
FC Vaduz: Sommer; Reinmann (64′Grossklaus), Iten, Dzombic, Cerrone; M.Polverino; D.Bellon (56′Willian Saroa), Mea, Fejzulahi, Fischer; Gaspar.
FC Aarau: Benito; Menezes, Rapisarda, Page, Elmer; Mutsch (88′Schaub), Burki, Bastida, Nushi; Ianu (77′Tarone), Rogerio (87′Bengondo).

The Ianu-Rogerio duo has confirmed its quality following the opening matchday win against FC Sion. Aarau is not as weak as it seems and won a tricky game against the Liechtenstein side who had surprisingly won the first game away at Luzern last weekend. Vaduz had not lost one single game during last year’s Challenge League season.

BEHRAMI MOVES TO WEST HAM
Swiss International Valon Behrami has been transferred from Lazio to Premier League side West Ham for 5 Million Pounds. Despite Sevilla’s interest the Swiss midfielder has chosen the Premier League and will play with the likes of Ljungberg and Bellamy. He becomes the 7th Swiss Player who will be part of the Premier League in this coming season together with Senderos, Djourou, Degen, Dzemaili, Vogel and Gelson Fernandes.