As always, Thun is considered to be the main relegation candidate. People in the Berner Oberland do not care. Righly so.
Our 2018-19 season preview.
As always, in July, Thun are among the main relegation candidates. As always, in July, the big names haven’t arrived in the Berner Oberland.
But then…
As always, in May, Thun celebrate their achievement. Survival! Will this happen again this season? Why not.
The team didn’t change much. And this is a great advantage. Coach Marc Schneider proved last year to be a master in making a virtue of necessity. And Thun’s season was a quiet one all in all. A season finished only 3 points behind 5th placed Zürich…
Good luck, FC Thun!
THE SCHEDULE
Thun’s schedule doesn’t look that bad during the early stages of the season. During the first five match days, Schneider’s guys will face, in the order: Zürich (away), Luzern (at home), St. Gallen (away), Neuchâtel Xamax (away) and Lugano (at home). It means everything and nothing… But Thun will face only Zürich among the big teams. It means that chances to earn points are high. And this would boost the players confidence.
The final stages of the season instead, are more complicated. Thun will host Lugano in Match Day 33. Then will play Zürich away (MD 34), will host Basel (MD 35) and finally will travel to Valais to face Sion. We mean, it’s better earning survival points before the last four games of the season.
THE POSSIBLE SCENARIOS
The Dream
Let’s don’t beat around the bush. Thun, on paper, are among the main relegation candidates. At the same time, however, recent history taught us that the Berner Oberland’s based team is always able – in a more or less comfortable way – to achieve their target. A mid-table finish is not a pipe dream. Provided that all goes well.
The Nightmare
Relegation? It’s a nightmare but is a possibility. Moreover, the re-introduction of the two-legged tie against the Challenge League’s second placed is a “bogeyman” that scares all the teams that are supposed to be involved in the relegation battle. We have faith in Thun. At the same time, however, no one can deny that relegation is a risk.
TRIVIA
Thun’s last opener scheduled away from home goes back to the 2013-14 season. Curiously enough, also back then the opener was scheduled in Zürich!
On that day, July 14, 2013, Zürich prevailed 3-2. Mario Gavranovic, Pedro Henrique and Berat Djimsiti earned the 3 points for the hosts. Josef Martinez and Dennis Hediger instead, scored for Thun.
For the record, Thun finished the 2013-14 season 6th placed (48 points).
TRANSFERS
Arrivals: Kenan Fatkic (Chiasso), Dennis Salanovic (Rapperswil), Basil Stillhart (Wil), Nino Ziswiler (U21/1.L.)
Departures: Elia Alessandrini (Chiasso), Nicolas Bürgy (?), Felix Hornung (Breitenrain/PL), Robin Huser (Basel), Sandro Lauper (Young Boys)
THE SQUAD
(Source: RSL official site)
1 | Guillaume Faivre | GA | 20.02.1987 |
13 | Djordje Nikolic | GA | 13.04.1997 |
18 | Francesco Ruberto | GA | 19.03.1993 |
22 | Nino Ziswiler | GA | 23.10.1999 |
4 | Miguel Rodrigues | DE | 07.12.1996 |
7 | Mickaël Facchinetti | DE | 15.02.1991 |
14 | Roy Gelmi | DE | 01.03.1995 |
20 | Chris Kablan | DE | 30.11.1994 |
23 | Timo Righetti | DE | 02.05.1998 |
25 | Kevin Bigler | DE | 05.10.1992 |
31 | Stefan Glarner | DE | 21.11.1987 |
39 | Sven Joss | DE | 18.07.1994 |
6 | Kenan Fatkic | MI | 20.08.1997 |
8 | Grégory Karlen | MI | 30.01.1995 |
10 | Basil Stillhart | MI | 24.03.1994 |
11 | Matteo Tosetti | MI | 15.02.1992 |
16 | Moreno Costanzo | MI | 20.02.1988 |
17 | Dennis Hediger | MI | 22.09.1986 |
19 | Omer Dzonlagic | MI | 25.05.1995 |
21 | Nelson Ferreira | MI | 26.05.1982 |
24 | Nuno Da Silva | MI | 14.03.1994 |
34 | Nicola Sutter | MI | 08.05.1995 |
36 | Dominik Schwizer | MI | 25.06.1996 |
37 | Dennis Salanovic | MI | 26.02.1996 |
9 | Dejan Sorgic | AT | 15.09.1989 |
33 | Marvin Spielmann | AT | 23.02.1996 |
35 | Nicolas Hunziker | AT | 23.02.1996 |