– A referee and his stab in the heart of the Valais Cup
Sion defends itself strongly against Lugano and also loses 0:2 because of the referee Urs Schnyder. The Ticino team is in the cup final for the third time in a row.
Published: April 27, 2024, 10:54 p.m
Happy looks different: Sion President Constantin gives the referee a few words to take into the dressing room.
Photo: Jean-Christophe Bott (Keystone)
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In the days before the cup semi-final between Sion and Lugano, Christian Constantin is still relaxed. It’s no use being angry about fate, he says, it always wins. Then it’s Saturday evening and the peace and quiet of Sion’s patron is over.
Shortly after the break he bursts out again. He builds himself up near the field and lets his anger out. And that’s thanks to referee Urs Schnyder, who managed to invent a penalty after a duel between Sions Souza and Lugano’s Doumbia – for the benefit of Lugano.
There is no VAR in this game as it is not provided for in the regulations when a lower league team like Sion is the host. It was Zan Celar who accepted the gift in the 51st minute and carefully converted the penalty. It’s 2-0 for Lugano and also the decision.
The favorite didn’t just win. The match has barely started when he has to go downstairs. The Valaisians immediately put him under a lot of pressure, Sorgic had a great chance, but Saipi blocked the shot brilliantly. Lugano needs a quarter of an hour to get into the game and they do so thanks to the routine of players like Steffen, Grgic and Bottani.
Sion still remains a goal for the season
Sion has the passion and his fiery fans behind him, Lugano has the class and form to do the right thing in difficult moments. You can feel the self-confidence they have gained with a series of ten games without defeat. In the 45th minute, Celar, who has barely been seen so far, puts the ball down with his heel, Cimignani takes the template on a volley and scores beautifully from 18 meters to make it 1-0.
The goal is the first stab in the hearts of the Valaisians, for whom the cup means so much and who dreamed of their club’s 15th final appearance. The second one gives them referee Schnyder. They still have one chance to avert defeat. But Sorgic fails again because of Saipi. What remains for them is the big goal this season: an immediate return to the Super League. Lugano, on the other hand, is in the cup final for the third time in a row with Mattia Croci-Torti. The opponent in the final on June 2nd will be between Winterthur and Servette.
More about the cup semi-finals
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Allow cookiesMore informationThomas Schifferle has been a sports journalist since 1979. He has been working in the sports department at Tamedia since 1995.More information
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