Servette and Lugano can already secure their European Cup ticket on Thursday. St. Gallen have to defend their lead, while Zurich are on the brink of elimination.
15.08.2024, 05:00
15.08.2024, 08:37
SDA
The starting position is particularly special for Servette. Geneva, who were drawn with a big opponent in the form of Braga, fought out a somewhat surprising goalless draw in Portugal. So everything is wide open ahead of the home game, which is likely to be well attended. Especially as Braga are currently in turmoil. After just four competitive matches - two wins, two draws - coach Daniel Sousa has been dismissed. Conflicts with the club management are said to have been the reason. In Geneva, the team is now being coached by a team of assistants.
But not everything is going according to plan at Servette either. On Sunday, the team went down 6-0 at home to Basel, and coach Thomas Häberli is also worried about Miroslav Stevanovic, who was substituted with an injury. It is clear to everyone involved that the match against Braga is already a small final. If Servette win, participation in the European Cup is secured. If Servette lose, no less an opponent than Chelsea's million-dollar squad awaits them in the Conference League play-offs - an almost insurmountable hurdle.
Lugano and St. Gallen have the advantage
St. Gallen and Lugano even go into the second leg with a lead. After their 1:0 away win against Partizan Belgrade, the Ticino side will return to Thun in exile. Mattia Croci-Torti's team will be looking to secure their place in the Europa League play-offs and thus a place in the European Cup. If Lugano prevails, the team that was eliminated by Fenerbahce in the last round will face its next opponent from Istanbul, Besiktas. If Lugano fail, they will face Ghent or Silkeborg for their last chance of a European fall.
Meanwhile, there is only one way forward for St. Gallen. The team from eastern Switzerland must march through the Conference League qualifiers to qualify for the European Cup for the first time since 2013 and for the seventh time in total. To do so, they must defend their 2:0 away win against Slask Wroclaw. In the previous round, the Poles had made up for their 1-0 defeat in the second leg with a 3-1 home win against FC Riga. St. Gallen would face the loser of the clash between Trabzonspor and Rapid Vienna in the play-offs.
Zurich with its back to the wall
The starting position is almost hopeless for FC Zurich, who had to travel to the away game against Vitoria Guimarães with a 3-0 deficit. The current Super League leaders need a sensation in northern Portugal to reach the play-offs against Bosnian side Zrinjski Mostar or Bulgarian representative Botev Plovdiv.