SUPERSPORT

Trailing twice and far from their best, Servette FCCF had to work hard to overcome a fearless Yverdon side. The substitutions ultimately changed the course of the match and allowed the Grenat to win 3-2. Not perfect, but three points that matter.

Caught up in a demanding schedule, Servette FCCF chose to give several key players a rest on Wednesday evening. And it showed. Lacking inspiration and rhythm, the Geneva side endured a difficult first half against a Yverdon team that, for its part, showed absolutely no fear.

The Vaud side quickly took advantage of Servette’s mistakes. In the 12th minute, Le Franc opened the scoring and put the Grenat in an uncomfortable situation. Magdalena Sobal did bring the two teams level in the 23rd minute with a perfectly placed header, but that was not enough to truly wake up SFCCF.

More enterprising and, above all, more incisive, the Yverdon players even regained the lead just before half-time. In the 43rd minute, Sager, ideally positioned and completely alone in the box, gave the Geneva goalkeeper no chance. At half-time, Servette were logically trailing 2-1.

The return from the dressing room did not immediately change the course of the match. Still struggling, Cristian Toro’s players had to wait for the first substitutions to finally regain some momentum. The contribution from the bench made all the difference.

In the 67th minute, Paola Hernandez made an excellent recovery before Meriame Terchoun continued the move and set up Gloria Marinelli. The Italian did not hesitate: a powerful shot into the top corner and SFCCF were back at 2-2.

Five minutes later, Marinelli struck again. This time with a header, with a finish as skilful as it was surprising, catching everyone off guard. Within five minutes, the Grenat had completely turned the match around to take the lead for the first time that evening. A lead they would not relinquish.

At the final whistle, the victory is there, as is the comeback, but it is difficult to be completely satisfied with the performance. SFCCF know that they will have to show more in their upcoming matches. There is, however, an important lesson to take from it: even on a bad night, with a rotated starting eleven and inevitably heavy legs, this team found a way to win. And that is also how you recognise great teams.

The Servettiennes’ week with midweek fixtures will end this Saturday in Rapperswil at 6 p.m. Another difficult match awaits the Geneva side, whom everyone wants to beat.

The Servettiennes have played match after match in recent weeks, with three consecutive weeks featuring midweek fixtures. It’s time for the final match of the week against Rapperswil this Saturday at 6 p.m., before a brief lull.

The Servettiennes are stringing together matches, but also victories and memorable moments. After qualifying for the Champions League against Prague, the Grenat immediately followed it up with a victorious trip to GC. This was followed by the visit of Yverdon, a difficult match for the Servettiennes, who were trailing twice but managed to find the resources to win.

To finish in style, the Grenat travel to Rapperswil with the ambition of picking up three more points in the race at the top. But beware of the St. Gallen side, who are formidable at home and have beaten St. Gallen, held YB to a draw and lost 4-2 to FCZ after taking a 2-0 lead.

Cristian Toro’s side have the opportunity to conclude another week with midweek fixtures in the best possible way before returning to a normal rhythm and welcoming FCZ next Friday at Trois-Chêne for the top-of-the-table clash in the AXA Women’s Super League!

At the Grünfeld, the Grenat had to work hard to leave with all three points. Trailing 1-0, the Servettiennes turned the result around through Martinez and Serrano.

As in the match against Yverdon, the Grenat had a great deal of difficulty against a team from the bottom of the table. Very quickly, it was the home side who took control of the match by creating a few chances. Without any great danger. It was not until the 20th minute of play and an in-swinging corner that the St. Gallen side opened the scoring. Well taken, the corner found the post before hitting Wallin and finding the back of the net. Put under pressure, Cristian Toro’s side eventually equalised just before half-time through a cross-shot from Asun Martinez.

At home, Rapperswil has caused a great deal of trouble for some big teams. But, like FCZ, the Servettiennes took control of the game and multiplied their attacks in the second half. Non-existent, the Rapperswil players could only try to contain the Servette attacks. Mission accomplished… until the 82nd minute. From a well-taken corner by Andonova, Serrano appeared at the far post to release the Grenat with a well-placed half-volley.

Servette wins again, once more with difficulty, but with the feeling that they can get themselves out of any difficult situation. After three consecutive weeks with midweek matches, the Grenat now have a calmer schedule, with a full week of rest and preparation before welcoming FCZ next Friday at Trois-Chêne at 7 p.m.!

Back at Trois-Chêne, the Grenat were unable to get the better of Zürich and conceded a draw before welcoming OL Lyonnes in the Champions League.

The Servettiennes were certainly hoping for a better result before returning to European action next Wednesday. Unfortunately, Cristian Toro’s side will have to settle for a point from the draw.

In a match mainly marked by the physical battle on both sides, neither team really managed to gain the upper hand over the other. While Zürich showed more initiative in the first half, the Geneva side reversed the roles to be the more proactive team after the break. Few clear-cut chances to get excited about, but physical duels in midfield that were perhaps worth the detour and which continued to accumulate as the match progressed. A match also marked by the spectacular number of yellow cards shown: 0.

For the first time in a long while, the opposing net did not ripple against a Servettiennes side that nevertheless retains its place at the top of the AWSL.

Now, all eyes are turned towards the evening of Wednesday, September 23 and the visit of a giant of women’s football: OL Lyonnes. The challenge is colossal, but the Grenat have shown that they are capable of producing the greatest exploits when it matters most.