FC Zürich

Fussballclub Zürich, commonly abbreviated to FC Zürich or simply FCZ, is a Swiss professional football club based in Zürich. The club was founded in 1896 and has won the Swiss Super League 13 times and the Swiss Cup ten times. Their most recent titles are the 2022 Swiss Super League and the 2018 Swiss Cup. The club plays its home games at the Letzigrund, which reaches a capacity of 26,000 spectators for league games.[1]

FC Zürich
Full nameFussballclub Zürich
Nickname(s)FCZ
Short nameFCZ
Founded1 August 1896; 127 years ago (1896-08-01)
GroundLetzigrund
Capacity26,105
PresidentAncillo Canepa
Co-trainersMurat Ural
Umberto Romano
LeagueSwiss Super League
2022–23Swiss Super League, 8th of 10
WebsiteClub website
Current season

FC Zürich is the only Swiss team to have reached the semi-finals of the European Cup more than once. This happened in 1964 and 1977, when the competition was played in its original format. FC Zürich co-founder, first captain, and honorary member Joan Gamper, who grew up in Zurich, later moved to Catalonia and founded Barcelona there in 1899. Since the 1960s, FC Zürich plays in all-white, which is one of the city colours, but has been mainly inspired by Real Madrid.

The women's club, FC Zürich Frauen, is the most successful in Switzerland, with 22 championship titles and multiple Champions League participations. The FC Zürich women's teams roots originate in the first Swiss women's football club, DFC Zürich.[2] It features a top-flight team playing in the Swiss Women's Super League, the only existing women's U21 team in Switzerland (competing in the top ranks of second tier Nationalliga B), and U19, U17, U15 and U14 teams. The U17, U15 and U14 teams compete in junior leagues against boys teams.

Historyedit

1896–1924edit

The club was founded in summer 1896 by former members of the two local clubs FC Turicum and FC Excelsior. Later, the official founding date was set at 1 August 1896. One of the founding members was the later Barcelona founder, Joan Gamper, coaching and playing for FC Excelsior and its successor from 1894 to 1897.[3] The new club played its first game on 30 August 1896 on Velorennbahn Hardau in Zürich against St. Gallen, which resulted in a 3-3 draw.[4] In 1898, FC Excelsior completely merged with FC Zürich and local club FC Victoria joined shortly thereafter.

The debut game was in 1896 with the colors blue and white.[5] The colors were changed to red and white; rivals Grasshoppers had the same colors. When Grasshoppers temporarily retired from the championship in 1909, FCZ returned to the colors blue and white which they continue to use.[6] Zürich won its first title in the Swiss Serie A in 1901–02, but did not win it again until 1923–24.

Until the 1930s, the club's sporting remit included rowing, boxing, athletics and handball, but football would become the focus of the club.

1925–1960edit

Chart of FC Zürich table positions in the Swiss football league system

Zürich struggled to overcome an unsuccessful record and was described as the "wilderness years" from 1925 to 1960.[7] They were relegated in 1933–34, playing in the 1. Liga to the 1941 season. In 1940–41, they returned to the Nationalliga, where they stayed until their relegation in 1945–46. They were back in the Nationalliga A in 1947–48 and stayed in the top flight until relegated in 1956–57. They were promoted from the Nationalliga B to contest the 1958–59 Nationalliga A, finishing in third place.

1960–1981edit

This period was known as the "Golden Years" by the FCZ faithful. At this time, the club was run by the legendary President Edwin Nägeli and had players such as Köbi Kuhn, Fritz Künzli, Ilija Katić, René Botteron and many more. Zürich won seven championships in the years 1963, 1966, 1968, 1974, 1975, 1976 and 1981. They also won the Swiss Cup five times in 1966, 1970, 1972, 1973, and in 1976. FCZ also had much success internationally in reaching the semi-finals of the European Cup 1963–64, before losing to Real Madrid and also reaching the semi-finals in the European Cup 1976–77, where they lost to Liverpool.

1981–2005edit

Following the club's league title in 1981, the club went into a decline and in 1988 they were relegated to the Nationalliga B. Zürich returned to the top league in 1990. The club did make it to last 16 of the UEFA Cup 1998–99, but were beaten by Roma. The club won the Swiss Cup in 2000, beating Lausanne in the final and also in 2005 beating Luzern.

2006–2016edit

SeasonRankLeagueØ Attendance[8][9]
20061/10SL10,008
20071/10SL10,870
20083/10SL12,186
20091/10SL9,829
20107/10SL10,700
20112/10SL11,750
20126/10SL10,511
20134/10SL10,741
20145/10SL9,564
20153/10SL9,389
201610/10SL8,701
20171/10CL9,702
20184/10SL10,726
20197/10SL10,660
20207/10SL6,422[10]
20218/10SL91
20221/10SL13'396
20238/10SL15'387

On 13 May 2006, FCZ ended their 25 years effort to win Super League with a goal in the 93rd minute by Iulian Filipescu against Basel. The goal gave FCZ a 2 – 1 victory based on goal difference. They sustained the league title In 2006–07.

In 2008, the local women's team FFC Zürich Seebach was combined with FC Zürich and would play under the name FC Zürich Frauen in the Swiss national league. FC Zürich Frauen is Swiss record champion.

In the 2007–08 season, FCZ (men's team) finished in third place. In a 2008–09 season match, they edged pass Young Boys to win the league title. In 2009, they made their debut play for the group-stage of the UEFA Champions League. In the 2010–11 season FCZ finished second. The following seasons, they finished mostly in mid-table positions. FCZ won the Swiss Cup 2014 in extra time against Basel 2-0.

In the 2015–16 season the club finished last, one point behind Lugano and was relegated to the Swiss Challenge League. Four days after the final game of the season, FCZ won the Swiss Cup 2016 beating Lugano 1-0.

Recent yearsedit

In the 2016–17 season, FC Zürich won the Challenge League ahead of Neuchâtel Xamax, and returned after one year to the Super League. In the 2017–2018 season they finished fourth. On 27 May 2018 they won the Swiss Cup for the tenth time, beating Young Boys 2-1.

In the 2021–2022 season, FC Zürich won the Super League again after an interruption of 13 years. The club secured its 13th league title with a 2–0 away win over Basel, who finished second, on 1 May 2022 with five rounds to go. Despite this success, coach André Breitenreiter departed the club to join Bundesliga side TSG Hoffenheim on 24 May 2022.[11] On 8 June 2022, former Austrian national coach Franco Foda was announced as the coach for the upcoming season.[12] Despite being able to guide Zürich into the Europa League group stages, an abysmal start to the domestic campaign saw the side gain only two points out of a possible twenty-four in their title defence. The dreadful league form, combined with a shock cup defeat to Challenge League side Lausanne on 18 September, proved the final straw and Foda was subsequently sacked on 21 September.[13]

Honoursedit

Rivalriesedit

Letzigrund

Grasshoppers, also from Zürich, and Basel are the main rivals of FCZ. Due to the intense rivalry, these matches are so-called high-risk fixtures, with an increased police presence in and around the stadium.

Zürichedit

Since its inception, FCZ has always had a fiery relationship with neighbouring club Grasshopper over sporting supremacy in the city.[citation needed]

To date, 251 official derbies have been held, with Grasshoppers leading with 121 wins to FC Zurich's 90, leaving 39 draws. However, since the reformation of the Swiss Super League in 2003, FCZ has frequently gotten the better of their city rivals, winning 33 out of 68 games (GC won 20 and 15 draws).

Final vs. Basel, 13 May 2006edit

Before the last round of the 2005–06 Swiss Super League, Zürich were three points behind Basel in the league table. The last game of the season was contested by these two clubs vying for the league title at St. Jakob Park, Basel. Alhassane Keita scored the match first goal, for Zürich. In the second half, Mladen Petrić equalised. Basel were seconds away from the title when, in the 93rd minute, Florian Stahel passed the ball to Iulian Filipescu, who scored. Zürich's success at 2 – 1 was attributed to their superior goal difference. Following the final whistle, Basel supporters stormed the pitch and attacked players on both teams.

Infrastructureedit

In 2010, the youth and women's teams of the club moved their homebase to the Heerenschürli sport park in the city quarter of Hirzenbach where the academy and women's teams play also their home matches. In June 2022, the club moved with the opening of a newly built "House of FCZ" also their Super League team and offices there in order to have the whole organisation under one roof.[14]

Playersedit

Current squadedit

As of 8 February 2024[15]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No.Pos. NationPlayer
22FW  IRLArmstrong Oko-Flex
23MF  SUIFabian Rohner
24DF  CRONikola Katić
25GK  SUIYanick Brecher (captain)
26MF  SUIMiguel Reichmuth
27DF  PORRodrigo Conceição
28DF  SUIRamon Guzzo
29FW  SUILabinot Bajrami
31DF  KOSMirlind Kryeziu
32MF  SUISelmin Hodza
33FW  ZAMJoseph Sabobo
37MF  SUINils Reichmuth
40GK  SUIAlan Omerovic
44DF  MLIAmadou Danté (on loan from Sturm Graz)

Out on loanedit

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

Reserve squad/Zürich U21edit

As of 14 August 2022[16]
The Zürich II/U21 team plays in the Swiss Promotion League.

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No.Pos. NationPlayer
15DF  SUISven Kunz
20MF  SRBMihail Stefanovic
22MF  SUIArbër Jusufi
23MF  SUINevio Di Giusto
24MF  SUILuka Frei
GK  GERPatrick Zajac
MF  SUIDaniel Denoon
MF  HUNPeter Sebök
FW  SUIPirosch Fischer

Notable former playersedit

As of 15 March 2016[17]

Players and managers admitted to the FC Zurich Hall of Fame

Players for the Swiss national football team

Players with World Cup appearances for their national teams

Player recordedit

Players in bold are still part of the club.

Managersedit

FC Zürich in European footballedit

As of 18 August 2022.

CompetitionPldWDLGFGA
European Cup/UEFA Champions League47175255983
UEFA Cup/UEFA Europa League83281837101130
UEFA Cup Winners' Cup124442416
Inter-Cities Fairs Cup104061212
Total153522774189236
SeasonCompetitionRoundClubHomeAwayAggregate
1963–64European CupPR Dundalk1–23–04–2
1R Galatasaray2–00–22–2
QF PSV Eindhoven3–10–13–2
SF Real Madrid1–20–61–8
1966–67European Cup1R Celtic0–30–20–5
1967–68Inter-Cities Fairs Cup1R Barcelona3–10–13–2
2R Nottingham Forest1–01–22–2(a)
3R Sporting CP3–00–13–1
QF Dundee0–10–10–2
1968–69European Cup1R AB1–31–22–5
1969–70Inter-Cities Fairs Cup1R Kilmarnock3–21–34–5
1970–71European Cup Winners' Cup1R Knattspyrnufélag Akureyrar7–07–114–1
2R Club Brugge3–20–23–4
1972–73European Cup Winners' Cup1R Wrexham1–11–22–3
1973–74European Cup Winners' Cup1R Anderlecht1–02–33–3(a)
2R Malmö0–01–11–1(a)
QF Sporting CP1–10–31–4
1974–75European Cup1R Leeds United2–11–43–5
1975–76European Cup1R Újpest5–10–45–5(a)
1976–77European Cup1R Rangers1–01–12–1
2R Turun Palloseura2–01–03–0
QF Dynamo Dresden2–12–34–4(a)
SF Liverpool1–30–31–6
1977–78UEFA Cup1R CSKA Sofia1–01–12–1
2R Eintracht Frankfurt3–40–33–7
1979–80UEFA Cup1R Kaiserslautern1–31–52–8
1981–82European Cup1R Dynamo Berlin3–10–23–3(a)
1982–83UEFA Cup1R Pezoporikos Larnaca1–02–23–2
2R Ferencváros1–01–12–1
3R Benfica1–10–41–5
1983–84UEFA Cup1R Antwerp2–41–43–8
1998–99UEFA Cup2QR Shakhtar Donetsk4–02–36–3
1R Anorthosis Famagusta4–03–27–2
2R Celtic4–21–15–3
3R Roma2–20–12–3
1999–00UEFA CupQR Sliema Wanderers1–03–04–0
1R Lierse4–31–05–3
2R Newcastle United1–21–32–5
2000–01UEFA Cup1R Genk1–20–21–4
2005–06UEFA Cup2QR Legia Warsaw4–11–05–1
1R Brøndby2–10–22–3
2006–07UEFA Champions League2QR Red Bull Salzburg2–10–22–3
2007–08UEFA Champions League3QR Beşiktaş1–10–21–3
UEFA Cup1R Empoli3–01–24–2
Group E Sparta Prague2–13rd
Toulouse2–0
Spartak Moscow0–1
Bayer Leverkusen0–5
R32 Hamburger SV1–30–01–3
2008–09UEFA Cup2QR Sturm Graz1–11–12–2 (4–2 p)
1R Milan0–11–31–4
2009–10UEFA Champions League3QR Maribor2–33–05–3
PO Ventspils2–13–05–1
Group C Real Madrid2–50–14th
Milan1–11–0
Marseille0–11–6
2011–12UEFA Champions League3QR Standard Liège1–01–12–1
PO Bayern Munich0–10–20–3
UEFA Europa LeagueGroup D Sporting CP0–20–24th
Vaslui2–02–2
Lazio1–10–1
2013–14UEFA Europa League3QR Slovan Liberec1–21–22–4
2014–15UEFA Europa LeaguePO Spartak Trnava1–13–14–2
Group A Apollon Limassol3–12–33rd
Borussia Mönchengladbach1–10–3
Villarreal3–21–4
2015–16UEFA Europa League3QR Dinamo Minsk0–11–11–2
2016–17UEFA Europa LeagueGroup L Villarreal1–11–23rd
FCSB0–01–1
Osmanlıspor2–10–2
2018–19UEFA Europa LeagueGroup A Bayer Leverkusen3–20–12nd
Ludogorets Razgrad1–01–1
AEK Larnaca1–21–0
R32 Napoli1–30–21–5
2022–23UEFA Champions League2QR Qarabağ2–2 (a.e.t.)2–34−5
UEFA Europa League3QR Linfield3–02–05–0
PO Heart of Midlothian2–11–03–1
Group A Arsenal1–20–14th
Bodø/Glimt2–11–2
PSV1–55–0

Referencesedit

  1. ^ "Das Stadion Letzigrund in Zahlen und Fakten". stadionletzigrund.ch. Archived from the original on 9 May 2023. Retrieved 17 August 2021.
  2. ^ Saro Pepe. "Football for all – but only for the last 50 years". nationalmuseum.ch. Archived from the original on 12 January 2024. Retrieved 17 August 2021.
  3. ^ "Biography on fcwinterthur1896.com". fcwinterthur1896.com. Archived from the original on 15 August 2018. Retrieved 15 September 2017.
  4. ^ "Erinnerung an unser erstes Matsch". fcz.ch. Archived from the original on 29 July 2021. Retrieved 8 February 2019.
  5. ^ "Erinnerung an unser erstes Matsch". fcz.ch. Archived from the original on 29 July 2021. Retrieved 8 February 2019.
  6. ^ Lütscher, Michael (2010). Eine Stadt, ein Verein, eine Geschichte. Verlag Neue Zürcher Zeitung. p. 47. ISBN 9783038236436.
  7. ^ "wilderness years - Political Dictionary". 31 May 2023. Archived from the original on 12 January 2024. Retrieved 6 June 2023.
  8. ^ "Schweiz " Super League " Zuschauer". weltfussball.at. Archived from the original on 17 August 2016. Retrieved 8 September 2016.
  9. ^ "Zuschauerzahlen Super League". sfl-org.ch. Archived from the original on 1 August 2022. Retrieved 1 August 2022.
  10. ^ "COVID-19 outbreak: Swiss Super League to admit 1,000 fans". coliseum-online.com. Archived from the original on 22 August 2020. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
  11. ^ "Personal statement on the departure of André Breitenreiter". FC Zürich (in German). 24 May 2022. Archived from the original on 19 June 2022. Retrieved 3 June 2022.
  12. ^ "Der FC Zürich stellt Franco Foda als neuen Trainer vor". bluewin.ch (in German). 8 June 2022. Archived from the original on 26 December 2022. Retrieved 8 June 2022.
  13. ^ "Football: Franco Foda n'est plus l'entraîneur du FC Zurich". lematin.ch (in French). 21 September 2022. Archived from the original on 3 December 2022. Retrieved 21 September 2022.
  14. ^ "FC Zürich weiht sein schmuckes 'House of FCZ' ein". nau.ch. Archived from the original on 12 January 2024. Retrieved 11 October 2022.
  15. ^ FC Zürich at Swiss Football League
  16. ^ "U21". FC Zürich. Retrieved 14 August 2022.
  17. ^ "dbFCZ : Die Spiele des FC Zürich" [dbFCZ : The games of FC Zurich]. dbFCZ (in German). Archived from the original on 12 January 2024. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
  18. ^ "Top 10 Einsätze für den FCZ" [Top 10 appearances for the FCZ]. dbFCZ (in German). Archived from the original on 28 January 2017. Retrieved 15 May 2017.
  19. ^ "Top 10 Tore für den FCZ" [Top 10 goals for the FCZ]. dbFCZ (in German). Archived from the original on 28 January 2017. Retrieved 15 May 2017.
  20. ^ "Trainerwechsel in die Bundesliga" (in Swiss High German). FC Zürich. 13 February 2024. Retrieved 13 February 2024.

External linksedit

🔥 Top keywords: Akademia e Shkencave e RPS te ShqiperiseAlexandria Ocasio-CortezBilderberg GroupCristiano RonaldoDong XiaowanMinecraftOperation GladioPrimal cutRiot FestStrictly Come Dancing (series 7)Main PageSpecial:SearchBaike: Requested articles/Business and economics/Companies/M-SIndian Premier LeagueFrancis Scott Key Bridge (Baltimore)Baike: Featured pictures2024 Indian Premier LeagueFrancis Scott Key Bridge collapseSean CombsNicole Shanahan3 Body Problem (TV series)PornhubJoe LiebermanThe Three-Body Problem (novel)XXXTentacionCleopatraYouTubeDan SchneiderDeaths in 2024MV DaliGodzilla x Kong: The New EmpireBrian PeckPorno y heladoSunrisers HyderabadUEFA Euro 2024Shōgun (2024 miniseries)Road House (2024 film)InstagramRonna McDanielDrake BellRobert F. Kennedy Jr.Francis Scott KeyAmanda BynesViral videoRobert HanssenBaltimoreBrandon ScottDune: Part TwoADX FlorenceFacebookTartanAditi Rao HydariSoaking (sexual practice)Ruby FrankeX-Men '97Cassie VenturaSunshine Skyway BridgeSergey Brin2024 Indian general electionList of Twenty20 cricket recordsSiddharth (actor)Portal Current eventsWinnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey 2Kalanithi MaranThree-body problemThe Gentlemen (2024 TV series)Kim PorterChatGPTJake GyllenhaalGhostbusters: Frozen EmpireWrestleMania XLKwena MaphakaPoor Things (film)2026 FIFA World Cup qualification (AFC)Dune (2021 film)United StatesWes MooreEndrick (footballer, born 2006)Maundy ThursdaySydney SweeneySolar eclipse of April 8, 2024Carol BurnettCrocus City Hall attackMadelyne PryorQuiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TVElin NordegrenKung Fu Panda 4SexCowboy CarterRed Eye (2005 American film)Battle of the HydaspesRyan GoslingFighter (2024 film)Eva MendesBattle of New CarthageImmaculate (2024 film)J. Robert OppenheimerArgentina national football teamShirley ChisholmTaylor SwiftLate Night with the DevilList of Indian Premier League records and statisticsRichard SerraTheo JamesNational September 11 Memorial & MuseumConor McGregorOppenheimer (film)Daniel KahnemanUEFA Euro 2024 qualifying