In a thrilling showdown at the Tourbillon on April 2, 2025, FC Winterthur (FCW) ended their long wait for an away victory in the Super League, defeating FC Sion 2:1. This marked their first away win in 18 attempts, a much-needed boost for a team fighting against relegation.
The match started with FC Sion taking an early lead. In the 43rd minute, Ilyas Chouaref found the back of the net, expertly assisted by Anton Mirantschuk. Chouaref's goal, his sixth of the season, came as a result of a lovely pass that allowed him to execute a perfect finish, putting the hosts ahead 1:0.
However, the tide turned dramatically in the second half when Sion’s Benjamin Kololli received a yellow-red card in the 53rd minute for failing to maintain the required distance during a free-kick, leaving his team to play with ten men for the remainder of the match.
FC Winterthur seized the opportunity to press for an equalizer. Despite struggling to create clear chances early on, the visitors finally broke through in the 80th minute. Roman Buess, assisted by Burkart, managed to score from close range, leveling the match at 1:1 and igniting hope among the Winterthur supporters.
As the match approached its climax, Winterthur continued to attack, and their persistence paid off. In the dying moments, Christian Gomis scored the decisive goal in the 94th minute, securing a dramatic victory for FCW. Gomis showcased his strength by controlling a high ball with his chest before firing it into the net, sending the away fans into jubilation.
"It was a crazy game. Offensively, we struggled for a long time. The red card came at a good time for us. Initially, we had difficulty adjusting to the extra player, but as the game progressed, we pushed harder," Buess commented after the match.
With this victory, FC Winterthur not only celebrated an important win but also reignited their hopes of avoiding relegation. They now sit just four points behind Grasshopper Club Zürich, who are set to play against Basel soon. Winterthur's next challenge will be a home match against FC Zurich on April 5, 2025, where they will look to build on this momentum.
On the other hand, FC Sion's inability to capitalize on their first-half lead and their subsequent red card proved costly. The team had shown promise with their attacking play, particularly in the first half, but their defensive lapses, compounded by Kololli's dismissal, ultimately led to their downfall.
The match was attended by 6,400 spectators, creating a vibrant atmosphere at the Tourbillon. Despite the loss, Sion's fans remained supportive, hoping for a turnaround in their fortunes as the season progresses.
Looking ahead, FC Winterthur will be keen to maintain their newfound confidence, while Sion will need to regroup and address their defensive issues if they wish to secure their position in the league. With two direct encounters against Grasshopper Club still on the horizon, the battle to avoid relegation is far from over.
