How long can Marco Schällibaum continue as GC coach?Image: trapezoid
GC remains at the bottom of the Chinese Super League. The pressure is on head coach Marco Sullivan, and the coming games won't get any easier.
With two wins in eleven games, they are second from bottom in the standings, on the same number of points as bottom team Winterthur. Grasshopper Zurich are in an extremely uncomfortable position – reaching a new low with last weekend's 3-0 defeat at Lausanne. Things don't get any easier: GC face top-flight side Lugano at home tonight, and there's also an away game against Lucerne on Sunday. The Hopps host St. Gallen before the next Natty break.
Three tough games and Zurich desperately needed a point. The pressure is on coach Marco Sullivan. GC sporting director Stephen Schwartz recently said: “Fireoffs are not a problem for us. We have gone through obstacles together and are now working hard to build something sustainable. Stability cannot be achieved overnight and setbacks are normal.”
But this isn't the first time a club's front office has backed a coach only to sack him soon after. Switzerland's most recent example: Patrick Framework at Young Boys, replaced by interim solution Joël Magnin after a dismal start to the season.
“We need some kind of reboot because if we continue like this, things are going to get tight,” Blick's Schällibaum said. The Hoppers' biggest issue is efficiency. GC has only scored 1 goal in the past 3 games. The chance is actually there – based on expected goals, Zurich must score around 1.5 goals per game on average.
At home it kind of works. But the away game GC was not successful at all, averaging only half of the goals per game. No wonder they suffered five defeats in six games. The only away win came against defeated champions YB in Bern. Coach Sullivan believes he knows the reason for not scoring many goals: “We need more passion.” In order to defend or score goals, everyone must show these qualities in the game.
Sullivan explained that they also work on training efficiency, but the final game is another story. «The players have to free themselves from the mental aspect. It's better to have a goal. “
A rare photo: GC goal celebration.Image: trapezoid
But just: the next game won't be any easier. “Personally, I think Lugano is the strongest team in the league. Lucerne is a strong team. “That will be very difficult. But Sullivan also said: “We are ready to fight.” (Abu)
The never-ending GC legend
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The never-ending GC legend
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