In a crucial Stadtderby on May 10, 2025, the Grasshoppers faced a devastating 3-0 defeat against FC Zürich, further plunging them into the depths of relegation danger. With only three rounds remaining in the season, GC's hopes of remaining in the Super League are hanging by a thread.
The match, held at the Letzigrund Stadium, saw the Grasshoppers struggle from the outset. Just 19 minutes in, Cheveyo Tsawa opened the scoring for FCZ with a well-placed header that caught the GC defense off-guard. Tsawa's goal came from a corner taken by Steven Zuber, which was expertly directed onto the crossbar by GC captain Amir Abrashi before crossing the line.
Four minutes later, Jahnoah Markelo doubled the lead for FC Zürich, again finding the net with a header following a perfectly executed cross from Tsawa. The Grasshoppers, under the watchful eye of their new Sportchef Alain Sutter, who was observing from the stands alongside suspended coach Tomas Oral, failed to respond effectively to the early onslaught.
Despite a more balanced performance in the second half, GC could not find the net. An attempt by Abrashi was disallowed in the 65th minute due to an offside call against Benno Schmitz, leaving the home fans frustrated. The match was sealed in the 85th minute when Damienus Reverson capitalized on a corner, scoring the final goal and solidifying FCZ's dominance in the derby.
Attendance for the match was recorded at 17,797, but the atmosphere quickly turned sour for the Grasshoppers as their fans expressed their discontent with boos and jeers. Sutter, who had just taken the helm a week prior, acknowledged the pressure his team was under, stating, "The boys were like they were wearing lead vests from the first minute, often too late and not engaging in duels. It’s now about relieving the pressure. There’s no secret recipe; everyone must solve this for themselves."
GC's situation has become dire, as they now sit at the bottom of the Super League table, three points behind FC Winterthur, who have recently surged to safety with a remarkable run of form. Winterthur's victory over St. Gallen, a 4-1 turnaround, has left GC with little room for error. They must secure a win against Yverdon in their upcoming match on May 14 to keep their fate in their own hands.
Benno Schmitz, a defender for GC, reflected on the team's performance, stating, "We had much higher expectations for today. We didn’t get into the game in the first half and had no control. In the second half, you can’t blame us much. I understand the fans' anger, but we still have three games left."
In contrast, FC Zürich celebrated their first win since late March, marking a significant turnaround after three consecutive losses. Lindrit Kamberi, a key player for FCZ, expressed the importance of the derby victory, saying, "The derby came at the right time; we wanted to give something back to the fans, and we managed to do that today. It was crucial for us to find our rhythm again."
The match not only highlighted the struggles of the Grasshoppers but also showcased the resilience of FC Zürich, who are now looking to build on this momentum. Coach Ricardo Moniz's side will face Winterthur in their next match on May 13, eager to continue their climb away from the relegation zone.
As the season approaches its climax, the stakes could not be higher for the Grasshoppers. With their next match against Yverdon, the pressure is on to secure a victory to avoid slipping further into the abyss of relegation. The fans, while frustrated, are still hopeful that their team can turn things around in the remaining fixtures.
In the broader context of the league, the relegation battle is heating up, with GC now needing to rely on other results as much as their own performance. The upcoming matches for both GC and their competitors will be pivotal in determining who will stay in the Super League next season.
Winterthur’s recent form has propelled them out of the relegation zone for the first time since December, and their players, including Josias Lukembila who scored and assisted in their last match, are riding high on confidence. Meanwhile, Yverdon, who drew against Sion, remains just above GC, adding to the tension as the season concludes.
As the Grasshoppers prepare for their next match, they must find a way to channel their frustrations into a performance that can turn their season around. With the fans' backing and a renewed sense of urgency, there is still a glimmer of hope for survival in the Super League.
The upcoming fixtures will undoubtedly play a critical role in shaping the future of the Grasshoppers and their quest to avoid relegation. For now, the team must regroup and focus on the task at hand, as they face Yverdon in what could be a defining moment in their season.
