The Swiss Super League kicked off its new season with an intense clash between Grasshoppers Zürich and FC Luzern. Estonian defender Maksim Paškotsi, entering his third season with Grasshoppers, started for his team, while Latvian international Andrejs Cigaņiks began on the bench for Luzern.
Grasshoppers, who struggled last season to avoid relegation and had to secure their top-flight status through playoffs, came into the game determined. Just four minutes in, Albanian defender Adrian Bajrami fouled Grasshoppers’ Nicolas Muci inside the box, resulting in a penalty which Muci calmly converted to give Grasshoppers an early 1-0 lead.
Luzern responded quickly. A misplay by the Grasshoppers defense allowed Kevin Spadanuda to break through on the left wing and set up debutant Matteo Di Giusto, who calmly finished to level the score at 1-1. The 24-year-old Swiss forward scored his first goal for the club.
Grasshoppers regained the lead in the 31st minute through English striker Luke Plange, who fired a powerful shot from the edge of the box, beating Luzern’s goalkeeper.
However, Luzern didn’t wait long to equalize again. A reckless challenge inside the box by Grasshoppers’ Yannick Bettkober resulted in a penalty, which Austrian forward Adrian Grbic confidently converted, making it 2-2.
The decisive moment came in the second half when 18-year-old Portuguese substitute Manuel Silva Ferreira entered the game and scored his first goal for Luzern with a precise first-time finish after a brilliant cross from the right flank, giving Luzern a 3-2 lead.
Unfortunately for Paškotsi, his night ended prematurely in the 78th minute due to a back injury. The 22-year-old Estonian managed to walk off the pitch holding his back, but could not continue.
In the 90th minute, Andrejs Cigaņiks came on for Luzern, replacing 18-year-old Swiss talent Sascha Britschgi, who was also forced off due to injury.
Luzern held on in the final minutes, securing a hard-fought 3-2 away victory to start the season on a high note.
Looking ahead, Grasshoppers will face league champions Basel in an away game on Saturday, while Luzern and Cigaņiks will aim to build on this win in their home match against Zürich a day later.
