Football – SLO finds its way back to the net and to victory

Despite the cold and the presence of only a few small hundred witnesses – of which a third, the noisiest, had taken the trouble to cross the country to encourage his own – no one was bored at Pontaise on Saturday evening.

Respectively 9th and 7th at the kickoff of this final round before the winter break, Stade-Lausanne-Ouchy and Wil – who are delivered from alls relegation concerns – had the common objective of getting closer to the top places, so tight is the standings in the Challenge League.

A purely positive pressure which generated a pleasant duel between two teams eager to win. Good intentions which were quickly rewarded on the Lausanne side. On a splendid opening by Zachary Hadji, Brighton Labeau found himself alone against Keller. The French striker had no difficulty getting around the Saint-Galois goalkeeper to score his eighth goal of the season. A success that put an end to a long offensive abstinence of 243 minutes for the SLO!

FC Wil tried to react but without causing fear to the Stadists. On the contrary, it was Hadji who saw a nice strike pass very close to Keller’s cage (15th). An opportunity to double the stake which woke up Saint-Gallois who were made more and more pressing. After a good recovery from the header saved at the last minute by Justin Hammel, the Lausanne goalkeeper made a last resort foul on Bahloul, just outside the penalty area, who appeared alone in front of him. With the logical consequence of a red card and the entry into play of Niklas Steffen. This allowed the Basel goalkeeper to celebrate his second appearance in the Challenge League.

Instead of disrupting SLO, this power play seemed to trouble FC Wil at first. A godsend for the people of Lausanne who took the opportunity to take a second head start thanks to Hadji who crucified Keller with a point blank shot (33rd).

Deprived of several holders, the Saint-Gallois tried to put a little pressure on their opponents, but these timid inclinations were annihilated without too much problem by the one who is not for nothing the best defense of the Challenge League. And when Lukembila’s acceleration finally succeeded in catching it, Reichmuth, perfectly served in withdrawal by the ex-Lausanne, could not find the frame (55th).

Although outnumbered, SLO seemed to be heading for a relatively easy victory when Steffen awkwardly boxed into the feet of Fazliu an innocuous cross. An offering that the Saint-Gallois did not hesitate to exploit to add a little spice at the last half hour.

The German-speaking domination which followed however lacked a little of everything to deceive a second time the vigilance of a Lausanne defense very attentive and well organized around Hajrulahu. On the other hand, it was even Chader, after a good stint with Labeau, who lacked a definitive break (80th). Then Ajdini who came up against Keller (93rd).

Fortunately, without consequences for a SLO team which, thanks to this second victory only in a disappointing second round, has moved up to 6th place in the standings. AT six points from the leader, Aarau, pending Sunday’s top duel between Vaduz and Winterthur. What to consider beautiful things next spring.