Thun celebrated a well-deserved 3-1 away victory in Lucerne to kick off the Swiss season. Despite falling behind early, the defending champion kept its cool.
Reigning Swiss champion FC Thun flexed its muscles to kick off the Brack Super League season, securing three points in Lucerne’s debut under new coach Udo Portmann despite the strain of midweek European Cup action. At the Thermoplan Arena, FC Lucerne fell to the visitors from the Bernese Oberland 1–3. After a dream start by the home team, the champions quickly found the right response, kept their composure, and set the stage for victory in the second half with tremendous efficiency.
Dream start for FCL, Thun strikes back immediately
The team from Central Switzerland got off to a perfect start: As early as the 2nd minute, Stefan Knezevic used his thigh to knock the ball over the line following a free-kick variation and a header assist from Oscar Kabwit. The VAR reviewed the play at length for offside but ultimately allowed the goal to stand. The team from the Bernese Oberland, however, remained completely unfazed by the early setback: Following a throw-in in the 8th minute, Marc Gutbub flicked the ball on to Nico Maier, who coolly equalized with a stunning volley off the left post to make it 1–1.
An entertaining and intense match ensued. Although Lucerne showed determination and created dangerous chances in the box through Ferreira, Thun delivered the sharper attacks with their counterattacks. In the 27th minute, the home team got incredibly lucky when Nassim Zoukit blasted a free kick straight onto the crossbar. A draw that reflected the balance of play saw both teams head into the locker rooms.
No sooner had the second half kicked off than the champions struck. Following a free kick by Maier in the 51st minute, Marc Gutbub capitalized on a mistake by Lucerne goalkeeper Simon Simoni, who failed to hold onto the ball, and tapped it in to give the visitors a 2-1 lead. After a two-minute VAR review for a suspected offside, the goal stood. The home team never fully recovered from this setback, especially as Thun’s reorganized defense skillfully closed down the spaces.
Bürgy Seals the Deal
Lucerne pressed forward, but regularly ran into the disciplined defensive lines of the Oberland side. Nicolas Bürgy sealed the victory in the 84th minute: The center back powerfully headed in a free-kick cross from Dähler to make it 3–1. Thun calmly saw out the remaining time and didn’t give up a single chance even in the five minutes of stoppage time.
With this away win, FC Thun temporarily takes the top spot in the standings to start the season. Despite the numerous new faces in the starting lineup, the team led by new head coach Gian-Luca Privitelli demonstrated masterful maturity. For Udo Portmann and FC Lucerne, however, it’s a setback to start the season—especially their vulnerability on opposing set pieces is likely to give the new FCL coach pause.
