In a thrilling encounter at Letzigrund Stadium, FC Zürich pulled off a remarkable comeback to draw 2-2 against FC Lausanne-Sport on April 2, 2025. The match seemed all but lost for the hosts as they found themselves two goals down with only minutes remaining. However, a late surge led by Steven Zuber and Lindrit Kamberi salvaged a crucial point for Zürich, keeping them five points clear of Lausanne in the championship playoff race.
Lausanne started the match strong, taking an early lead in the fifth minute. Jamie Roche capitalized on a critical error from FC Zürich's Benjamin Mendy, whose wayward pass in his own penalty area allowed Roche to intercept and score, putting the visitors ahead 1-0. This early setback set the tone for a challenging evening for Zürich, who struggled to find their rhythm.
Despite having a significant share of possession, FC Zürich failed to create meaningful chances throughout the first half and much of the second. Their struggles continued, and in the 74th minute, Lausanne doubled their advantage. After a defensive lapse from Mariano Gomez, Aliou Baldé intercepted the ball and surged toward the goal. He managed to pass the ball to Albian Ajdini, who slotted it home with ease, making it 2-0 for Lausanne.
As the clock ticked down, it appeared that FC Zürich would succumb to their second consecutive defeat. However, in a dramatic twist, they found life in the dying minutes of the match. In the 89th minute, Zuber scored for Zürich, capitalizing on a long clearance from goalkeeper Yanick Brecher. The Lausanne defense faltered, allowing Zuber to round goalkeeper Karlo Letica and slot the ball into the net, narrowing the deficit to 1-2.
The momentum shifted dramatically in favor of FC Zürich, and just minutes later, they completed the comeback. In stoppage time, a free kick led to a scramble in the box, where Kamberi found himself in the right place at the right time to volley the ball into the net, leveling the match at 2-2. The late goals sent the home crowd into a frenzy, with fans who had considered leaving suddenly believing in a miraculous turnaround.
After the match, FC Zürich captain Yanick Brecher reflected on the team's performance, stating, "That was a very good finish to a bad game for us. We started incredibly hectically; the early goal was a gift from our side. I can understand if fans left early. Until the 89th minute, we didn't play well. But with us, there's always a chance until the end. However, we don’t want to make it so exciting every time."
On the other side, Lausanne coach Ludovic Magnin expressed his frustration, feeling that his team had deserved all three points. "It is very frustrating. We deserved the three points more than anyone. I liked my team's performance for 85 minutes," he said. His disappointment was palpable, especially after watching his team squander a two-goal lead.
FC Zürich's coach, Ricardo Moniz, praised his team's resilience, stating, "Fantastic that my team came back like that. Normally, you lose this game. The fans who left early missed something, and hopefully, next time they will stay until the end. Now, the gap to Lausanne remains five points. But of course, I am disappointed with how we conceded the goals."
Despite the late drama, the match was not without its controversies. Mendy's performance drew criticism as he made critical mistakes leading to both of Lausanne's goals. His lack of concentration and composure was evident, and it has raised questions about his place in the starting lineup moving forward.
Additionally, the absence of Calixte "Junior" Ligue due to disciplinary reasons was notable. His exclusion from the squad raised eyebrows, especially given his strong performances earlier in the season. Moniz later confirmed that Ligue was left out due to disciplinary issues, highlighting a shift in team dynamics as he seeks to instill a culture of accountability.
The match drew a modest crowd of 11,489 spectators, a figure that reflects the current struggles of both teams in the league. The stakes were high, as both teams are battling for a better position in the league, with FC Zürich trying to secure their place in the championship round while Lausanne sought to gain ground in the standings.
Looking ahead, FC Zürich will face FC Winterthur on Saturday, April 5, 2025, while Lausanne will host Sion on the same day. Both teams will need to capitalize on their upcoming matches to improve their standings as the season progresses.
In the end, this match served as a reminder of the unpredictability of football. With FC Zürich's late comeback, they not only salvaged a point but also demonstrated their fighting spirit, a quality that will be essential as they continue their campaign. For Lausanne, the draw feels like a missed opportunity, one that could haunt them as they strive to climb the league table.
