Football Season Guide

Zurich have had a very difficult campaign last time around, with the sole real positive being that they managed to get out of their Europa League group and reach the knock-out round. They started reasonably well domestically but badly dropped off as time elapsed and ended up finishing seventh, therefore failing to qualify for Europe. Despite being one of the biggest clubs in the top flight, the Zurichers were seemingly not too displeased with their performance, as Ludovic Magnin was allowed to remain in charge. His assistant Rene van Eck has left the club due to personal reasons, with Alfons Higl coming on to replace him. An important player has left in Stephen Odey, while Gregory Sertic and Joel Untersee are back with their parent clubs following their six-month loan stays with Zurich. As usual, the Zurichers are looking for diamonds in the rough in the transfer market. Willie Britto, Blaz Kramer, Mimoun Mahi and Denis Popovic are all unknowns at Super League level, but FCZ also took advantage of the relegation of their local rivals Grasshopper and brought in Nathan, who looked superb last season. Magnin's main goal going into the new season will be to change Zurich's style of play. His side ended the previous campaign with the second-worst scoring record in the league, which is absolutely shocking for a club whose sides traditionally play attacking football. It is therefore unsurprising that three of their five summer signings are attacking-minded players.