FCSG coach Maassen answered six theses before the match against Zurich

No, the St. Gallen team had not expected a home defeat against FC Luzern. Not after the 2-0 lead at half-time. Even though the extremely comfortable lead was mainly due to the fact that the Eastern Swiss team had been extremely efficient up until then. It is probably also very convenient that today, just 72 hours after the 2-3 defeat, the team coached by Enrico Maassen can correct the last impression of the Kybunpark in the rescheduled match against FC Zurich. Nota bene, once again in the home stadium. New game, new luck.

Before the upcoming match, the FC St.Gallen coach briefly and succinctly responds to six statements/theses in writing. The short preparation time for the next opponent, which should be optimal and focused, does not allow for any real in-depth discussion. Especially since the table in the Super League is already a tight one and the Eastern Swiss team, currently seventh, cannot simply book their place in the Championship Group after 33 rounds. And another fact: this evening (from 8.30 p.m.) the Green-Whites will have to improve considerably against the leader of the Super League compared to last Saturday.

Lucerne was better tactically and physically, said Lucerne coach Mario Frick. That gives Enrico Maassen something to think about, especially since normal training sessions have been able to take place for the first time over a longer period (national team break, no European Cup).

Measures: “Basically, we reflect on and analyse every game. Of course, we also looked intensively at the game against Lucerne.” Already on Saturday, immediately after the defeat, the St. Gallen coach did not want to go into the specific content and sentences that he gave his players in the dressing room.

The second half against Lucerne was one to forget. The system failure came at the wrong time, but the lesson came at the right time. Especially since the players probably thought that everything would run by itself. And so they neglected the basic ingredients of football.

Measures: “So far we have suffered one defeat against Winterthur and the second didn’t feel like a real defeat. We also won several close games. This time, however, there was not enough in all areas and we are all aware of that.” The second zero was in the Conference League away to Wroclaw and had no effect. Panic would not be a good advice anyway, because Lucerne will serve as a warning in the future of how not to do things.

Nevertheless, a reaction is required. For St. Gallen, it is a six-point game against Zurich. If the Eastern Swiss team wants to achieve something in the championship this season, they need three points against the leaders.

Measures: “We want to win every game, including the one against Zurich, of course.” The coach is not a man of loud, bold words; he chooses them carefully and holds back, which is understandable. Even if calling it a six-point game at this stage of the championship may seem a bit snappy and exaggerated, the goal is to stay ahead.

Zurich is very stable in defence and is currently the best team in the league. However, the central defence is not the fastest. The opponent is vulnerable to balls in depth.

Measures: “Correct.” We’ll happily leave that answer as it is. And wait for the proof this evening. The fast strikers Willem Geubbels and Chadrac Akolo will be called upon, or Christian Witzig and wingers like Chima Okoroji on the flanks.

Zurich, for its part, mirrored FC Basel last Saturday, using the lid-pot principle. And also played in a three-man defense. Against St. Gallen, however, coach Ricardo Moniz is likely to switch back to a four-man defense. Also because a three-man defense is not an option for Maassen.

Measures: “Possible. We will be prepared for anything.” Being prepared for anything against the in-form Zurich is a good thing. It is still unclear whether Maassen really does not see the three-man defense as an option for his team. Basically, he always stresses that he does not want to focus too much on an opponent, but rather on his own strengths and automatisms. Which then means that the Eastern Swiss team will stick with the four-man defense.

Ultimately, football is about passion. The word implies one’s suffering as an ability to achieve something. We will see this quality against Zurich.

Measures: “I am convinced of that!” Especially since it is clear that there is hardly a job without passion. Against Lucerne, it was perhaps lacking a little, despite the sold-out crowd. But there are days when you can’t go on, and Maassen also saw that after the 2:3.

Finally, there is the medical bulletin. Maassen will still have to do without Mihailo Stevanovic and Betim Fazliji in front of the next great home crowd, with 17,500 tickets sold so far. Jovan Milosevic is missing due to an injury. And the loss of Albert Vallci is particularly serious. The central defender is a player of mentality and a leader, and after being substituted due to injury (groin) at half-time, the Eastern Swiss team was unable to play against Lucerne. Perhaps this is Jozo Stanic’s chance to work his way back into the team. Maassen is known to be implementing his idea of ​​having all the professionals on board and keeping them happy. This season, however, Stanic has tended to play less, partly because the St. Gallen coach sometimes puts more offensive players on the bench so that he can react in attack and remain varied.

Possible FCSG formation: Zigi; Faber, Diaby, Stanic, Okoroji; Görtler, Quintillà, Witzig; Toma; Geubbels, Akolo.