2-1 victory against Grasshopper Club – FC Zurich qualify for the Swiss Cup final!
FC Zurich have won their Swiss Cup semi-final against Grasshopper Club 2-1 tonight and have qualified for the cup final.
Both teams had a rather cautious start to the game and focused on their defense during the opening minutes. But in the 11th minute, Numa Lavanchy beat FC Zurich keeper Yanick Brecher with a volley shot from the edge of the penalty area to put the visitors 1-0 in the lead.
FC Zurich struggled on the offense. Nevertheless, Kevin Rüegg equalized the score at 1-1 in the 22nd minute following a one-two with Raphael Dwamena – this was also the score at the half-time break.
FC Zurich got into the game better and better during the second forty-five minutes; however, the home team was not able to convert any of their chances: Both Antonio Marchesano (55’) as well as Adrian Winter’s shots (62’) were off target. Grasshopper Club now looked for their luck in counterattacks and in the 81st minute, a shot by Jeffrén was just off the left post. But during the final minutes, it was again FC Zurich who were pushing for the winning goal – and these efforts would eventually be recompensed.
During injury time, FC Zurich were awarded a free-kick: Antonio Marchesano’s ball into the box found defender Cédric Brunner who didn’t hesitate a second and hammered the ball home to put the final score to 2-1.
Thanks to tonight’s victory, FC Zurich have qualified for the final of the Swiss Cup which will take place on 27 May 2018. Next Saturday evening, 3 March 2018, the team of head coach Ludovic Magnin will be facing FC Basel away (kick-off 7pm).
