Zan Celar scores the penalty for 0-2 in favor of Lugano. Hopes of qualifying for the Swiss Cup final were dashed for FC Sion.
Urs Lindt/Freshfocus
FC Sion will not participate in the 15th Swiss Cup final in its history on June 2 at the Wankdorf Stadium in Bern. The Valais Challenge League club was indeed beaten on Saturday on its Tourbillon lawn by Lugano, currently 2nd in the Super League championship (0-2).
In their enclosure as full as Albert Einstein’s head on the days when he was in particularly good shape (15,400 spectators), the Sédunois abandoned their illusions in six minutes, straddling the two halves.
They first conceded the opener a few seconds before the tea break following a magnificent collective action from Ticino punctuated by an unstoppable volley from French midfielder Yanis Cimignani (45th).
Penalty disputed
They then conceded 0-2 on a penalty (converted by Slovenian striker Zan Celar) after contact between Souza and Doumbia in the penalty area. The sequence provoked the ire of Constantins and almost the entire public. But, in this part, Mr. Schnyder could not use VAR to calm things down or correct his first impression.
Before these sequences which decided the fate of the face-to-face between the probable best squads of the first two categories of Swiss play, the team coached by Didier Tholot had looked the team managed by Mattia Croci-Torti in the eye.
Two big opportunities
She had even orchestrated the most dangerous phases of play. But Sorgic (3rd) and Chouaref (24th) came up against a solid Amir Saipi between the posts. Zion had come close to taking command. As it is customary to imagine, passing close, it remains however just good at horseshoes and pétanque.
Lugano will know its opponent in the final of the Swiss Cup at the end of the other semi-final between Winterthur and Servette, which will kick off this Sunday at 4:30 p.m.
Whirlwind. 15,400 spectators (box offices closed).
Buts: 45e Cimignani 0-1, 50e Celar (penalty) 0-2.
Sion: Fayulu; Lavanchy, Schmied, Ziegler, Hefti (82e Zagre); Kabacalman, Baltazar; Berdayes (75e Ntenda), Chouaref, Souza (70e Chipperfield), Sorgic. Entraîneur: Tholot.
Lugano: Saipi; Doumbia (75th Espinoza), Mai, Hajdari, Valenzuela; Steffen, Bislimi (85e Macek), Grgic, Cimignani (85e Aliseda); Bottani (64e Sabbatini); Cellar (75e Vladi). Trainer: Croci-Torti.
Notes: Zion without Bouchlarhem (suspended), Bua and Itaitinga (blessed); Lugano without Hajrizi (blessed).