Qualification for the 2022/23 Champions League group stages continues this week and on the 27th of July we have a meeting between FC Zürich and Qarabağ FK.
The game will be played at the Stadion Letzigrund and the hosts are down 3-2 from the first leg but with only 1 goal in it, this could be an exciting match.
Schlusspfiff. Die Partie zwischen dem FC Zürich und dem @FCL_1901 endet torlos.#FCZLUZ #fcz #stadtclub #NieUsenandGah pic.twitter.com/np7ueTznjq— FC Zürich (@fc_zuerich) July 23, 2022
Schlusspfiff. Die Partie zwischen dem FC Zürich und dem @FCL_1901 endet torlos.#FCZLUZ #fcz #stadtclub #NieUsenandGah pic.twitter.com/np7ueTznjq
FC Zürich come into the game on the back of a 0-0 draw at home against Luzern in the Swiss Super League.
Neither team could make the breakthrough and Luzern had a player sent off but it was in the final minutes, so there was no time for FC Zürich to take advantage.
That result means FC Zürich have failed to win any of their 3 competitive fixtures this season.
They started with a disappointing 4-0 loss at Young Boys in the Swiss Super League and that was followed by a 3-2 loss at Qarabağ FK in the first leg of this second round Champions League qualifying tie.
FC Zürich found themselves 2 goals behind twice in the match but reduced the deficit to 1 goal on both occasions, with the second goal coming in the 85th minute.
Trends show FC Zürich have won only 1 of their last 9 Champions League fixtures. There has been 1 win from their 5 most recent home games but you must go back to 2011 to find their last home match in the Champions League, which was a 1-0 loss to Bayern Munich.
Qarabağ FK make the trip to the Stadion Letzigrund having enjoyed the weekend off following the first leg of the tie. The Premyer Liqa in Azerbaijan does not start until the 4th of August, so Qarabağ FK have spent the week training ahead of this match.
Qarabağ FK will be happy to travel to Switzerland with a 1 goal lead but it could have been more. Having twice taken the lead in the game and opened a 2-0 gap at half time, Qarabağ FK would have been hoping for at least that margin to defend in the second leg. However, the concession of a penalty late in the first leg means the lead is 1 goal.
Trends show Qarabağ FK are undefeated in 10 of their last 13 Champions League fixtures. That includes 6 of their last 7 away UCL games, with under 2.5 goals scored in 8 of their last 9 on the road.
Looking ahead to the team news and FC Zürich have a decision to make in attack. The strikers have been struggling to score goals and Aiyegun Tosin could start in attack with young Italian Degnand Gnonto.
Qarabağ FK will start with Ibrahima Wadji up-front following his 2 goals in the first leg. The striker will have support from Brazilian forward Kady.
FC Zürich will be pleased to still be in the tie following the away leg but need to attack to progress. That will suit Qarabağ FK, who could hit the Swiss on the break and score the goals required to progress comfortably on aggregate.