Grasshopper Club fights back to claim a point in Lausanne on season opener

GC coach Bruno Berner trusted Justin Hammel in goal and captain Amir Abrashi in central defense to kick off the campaign. New signing Nikolas Muci, returning after a loan spell, was also in the starting lineup. Among those on the bench was Samuele Bengondo, who had picked up an injury after just three minutes of Super League action the previous season and was unavailable from October onwards. His appearance in Lausanne therefore carried a special significance.

Bengondo as a symbol of GC's transformation

In the second half, Lausanne upped the pressure, but GC remained patient. In the 68th minute, Berner brought on Bengondo to inject fresh attacking impetus. The decision would pay off: after Lausanne lost the ball in their build-up play, GC won possession, Bengondo fired from the edge of the box and struck the 1-1 equalizer. For the 20-year-old, it was an emotional moment after the long months of rehabilitation.

In the closing minutes, Lausanne tried once more to force a home win. The clearest opportunity came from a long-range effort, but Hammel was able to parry it. In the end, the result remained a deserved draw, with which both teams concluded matchday one. GC therefore provisionally avoids a relegation spot, while Lausanne takes their first point from what had been a playoff season.

Parallel assessment from Geneva

Behind the scenes, the match in Lausanne was GC's first competitive game under the new ownership structure. The Zurich side had undergone a major overhaul during the off-season and aim to establish themselves in mid-table this campaign. Internally, the draw away to a relegation-playoff opponent is viewed as a solid opening result, even though the performance still left room for improvement over long stretches.

In parallel with the match in Lausanne, the competition was in action on Saturday evening. At the Stade de Genève, Servette hosted FC Basel. The Basel side won the match 1-0, with the decisive goal scored by new signing Zan Celar in the 78th minute from a penalty. Coleen Louis, who had been fouled in the penalty area by Houboulang Mendes, had won the spot kick. It was a winning start to his first full season in charge for Basel's coach Stephan Lichtsteiner. For Servette, backup goalkeeper Léo Besson was between the posts, as the established keepers Edvinas Gertmonas and Jérémy Frick were unavailable.

Outlook on matchday two

Next weekend, both Zurich clubs as well as Basel are set to play their first home match of the new campaign. GC welcome their opponents on Sunday, while Basel host Lausanne-Sport at 18:00 at St. Jakob-Park on the National Holiday, a Saturday. At the same time, Servette travel to face FC Zürich at the Letzigrund. The defending champions from Thun travel to face FC Luzern.

Observers view the opening matchday as a confirmation of the tight table that characterized the previous season. With Basel, GC and Servette, three heavyweights have made successful starts to the new campaign, with only Basel able to register a full win. Lausanne and GC each took a point, which could prove decisive in the relegation battle at the end of the season. (sda)