FCZ leaves Lugano in despair Zurich's efficiency and Markelo's dream goal decide the game

Syl Battistuzzi

2.3.2025

FC Zurich wins 0:3 in Lugano - Zuber and Markelo score the decisive goals in Ticino. With the three points, Zurich are back in the Championship Group and remain in touch with the leaders.

02.03.2025, 16:07

02.03.2025, 16:51

It was a duel of the losers. Both FC Lugano and FC Zurich had to bury their ambitions of winning the Swiss Cup during the week. And Zurich seem to have recovered better from their defeat against Young Boys than Lugano, who suffered an embarrassment against Promotion League club Biel on Wednesday.

Steven Zuber shone in Ricardo Moniz's team as the scorer of two goals. After 24 minutes, the returnee scored with a spectacular flick into the far corner of the goal, and in stoppage time he proved cold-blooded from the penalty spot to make the final score.

In between, Jahnoah Markelo nipped any hopes of a Lugano comeback in the bud five minutes after the break when he beat Amir Saipi in the Lugano goal with a well-placed long-range shot into the top right-hand corner of the goal via the post.

Lugano, who suffered their second defeat in a row, were unable to make up for the absences of injured midfielder Anto Grgic and suspended attacker Renato Steffen. Mattia Croci-Torti's team, who are now three points off the top of the table, were rarely able to make their mark.

They will have to do better in the first leg of their Conference League round of 16 tie against Slovenian champions Celje on Thursday if they are to at least stay on course for European success.

4306 spectators. - SR Cibelli. - Goals: 24. Zuber (Markelo) 0:1. 49. Markelo 0:2. 88. Zuber (penalty) 0:3.

Lugano: Saipi; Zanotti, Mai, Hajdari, Valenzuela (60. El Wafi); Doumbia (56. Macek), H. Mahmoud; Bottani (76. Vladi), Daniel Dos Santos, Cimignani (56. Przybylko); Koutsias.

Zurich: Brecher; Gómez, Ligue, Denoon (79. Mendy); Ballet, Krasniqi (68. Reichmuth), Gbamin, Zuber; Markelo (79. Kamberi), Perea (33. Emmanuel), Chouiar (79. M. Mahmoud).

Remarks: Cautions: 7th Zuber, 28th Valenzuela, 54th Zanotti, 80th Daniel Dos Santos, 84th Hajdari, 94th Macek.

Man of the Match: Steven Zuber

"The attacker really gets going. With his first brace for FCZ, he secures three points for his team."

blue Sport commentator Marko Vucur

Comments on the game

Video ticker to watch afterwards

FC Lugano

Completed

0:3

(0:1)

FC Zurich

(24.) 0:1 - Steven Zuber
(49.) 0:2 - Jahnoah Markelo
(88.) 0:3 - Steven Zuber

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88.

Zuber scores from the spot to decide the game

49.

Markelo makes it 0:2 with a dream goal

30.

Junior Ligue with a monster save

24.

Zuber gives the visitors the lead

20.

Saipi with a flying save against Zuber

18.

Brecher is called upon for the first time

This Lugano star has his own stadium burger!

90.+5.

End of 2nd half

90.+4.

Yellow card FC Lugano

Roman Macek

88.

Goal for FC Zurich, 0:3 through penalties from Steven Zuber

Steven Zuber

Midfielder

84.

Yellow card FC Lugano

Albian Hajdari

80.

Yellow card FC Lugano

Daniel Dos Santos

79.

Substitution in FC Zurich

Benjamin Mendy

Defender

79.

Substitution out FC Zurich

Daniel Denoon

Defender

79.

Substitution in FC Zurich

Lindrit Kamberi

Defender

79.

Substitution out FC Zurich

Jahnoah Markelo

Midfielder

79.

Substitution in FC Zurich

Mohammad Mahmoud

Striker

79.

Substitution out FC Zurich

Mounir Chouiar

Midfielder

76.

Substitution in FC Lugano

Shkelqim Vladi

Striker

76.

Substitution out FC Lugano

Mattia Bottani

Midfielder

68.

Substitution in FC Zurich

Miguel Reichmuth

Midfielder

68.

Substitution out FC Zurich

Bledian Krasniqi

Midfielder

60.

Substitution in FC Lugano

Ayman El Wafi

Defender

60.

Substitution out FC Lugano

Milton Valenzuela

Defender

56.

Substitution in FC Lugano

Kacper Przybylko

Striker

56.

Substitution out FC Lugano