In recent years, it has never been characteristic of the Rhône derby to make FC Sion a favorite. It had to end up happening. Even if past confrontations recall that the status is only a meager guaranteed in these matches. And that of Wednesday (7 p.m.) in Tourbillon does not escape it.
How to explain that Servette, accustomed to the Podium of Super League in recent years, must approach this meeting in the shoes of the penultimate of the ranking which always hunts a first victory this season, while Sion, which was nothing more than fighting against relegation, is currently in full swing?
There is something to plead for an inversion of destinies. As if Sion had finally found the key, and Servette had lost it. This is indeed what the respective beginnings of the two clubs say. But in analysis, it may be necessary to go a little further. Focus.
Sion, a success caused
How has the apathetic Zion of last season have become so reliable since this summer?
It is not said that Didier Tholot has fundamentally changed his way of leading his team. Everything is ultimately quite similar: very little ball possession (40% average, worse total of Switzerland), almost no intensity without balloon and an nonexistent pressing.
Concretely, Sion leaves the ball to the opponent, falls back into a mid -wait -by and plays all his blows as best as possible. It still recalls a lot the style practiced throughout the past season.
Except that this time, the success is on the side of the Valaisans. It is clearly expressed, supporting statistics: they have scored 10 goals since the start of the exercise, while the model of Expected goals rather evokes a total of 5.55xg.
A boost of fate? Perhaps, when we see the third Sedunian goal scored on Sunday in Winterthour, with this shot from Lukembila deflected by a defender.
But this efficiency has undoubtedly been caused by the recruitment of the Valais club. Lukembila, already three goals, is one of them. And perhaps even more Rilind Nivokazi, whose sense of the goal and the correctness in the surface constitutes the real plus compared to last season. Kosovar is also three achievements.
All this while waiting for the beginnings of Donat Rrudhani and the real hatching of Winsley Boteli. Four reinforcements that necessarily change it when you approach the opposing goal.
The fact remains that Valais efficiency can also be similar to a form of adorning. This rhythm will have to be held, as long as there are no more ideas.
Servette, unlucky and new benchmarks
In Servette, the dynamics are different. And, the garnet have already had three different coaches: Thomas Häberli, the interim Alphonse-Dimic and Jocelyn Gourvennec since last month.
In this sense, it is difficult to generate a single trend, but it must be considered that Servette lacks success, especially since Häberli was ousted. In the last three games (nulls against Grasshopper and Lucerne, before the defeat in Zurich on Saturday), the Genevans were generally dominating. Like the two shots on Stevanovic’s post and in ten minutes at the Letzigrund.
This is also what statistical analysis maintains. The six goals registered so far by the Servettians are not up to what they produce (between eight and ten goals expected).
The fact is also that Gourvennec tries to bring a certain consistency to this servette. With basic principles, developed from the first day. A 4-4-2 without balloon, a base of three in possession, with wingers oriented inward.
The benchmarks are starting to be taken. Sometimes lack of fluidity, defensive activity, technical accuracy. Among others. The doubt phase can only end if the results come back. And there is kindly urgency.
