Zürich’s New Defender Alexander Hack Brings Stability After Win Against Winterthur
FC Zürich secured a much-needed victory against Winterthur, ending a seven-game winless streak dating back to December. A key factor in the turnaround appears to be the arrival of new signing Alexander Hack, who brought a sense of composure and reliability to the team’s defense.
Hack made his debut for Zürich after a two-and-a-half-month absence from competitive play. His presence was immediately noticeable, offering a stabilizing force that had been lacking in recent weeks.
Praise from the Head Coach
Head coach Dennis Hediger was effusive in his praise for the 32-year-old defender, stating, “He radiates sovereignty and calm.” While acknowledging that Hack’s impact wasn’t immediately apparent in the opening minutes, Hediger noted that the Zürich defense grew more solid as the game progressed, largely due to Hack’s influence.
Hediger emphasized Hack’s role in elevating the performance of his teammates, saying, “This proves his task that he makes the other players better.”
Hack himself remained modest after the match, stating he wasn’t yet at 100 percent fitness following his time away from the pitch. “After all, this was my first game in two and a half months,” he said. However, he expressed his enjoyment of returning to European football after a stint in the United States.
Reunion with Former Teammates
Hack is looking forward to potentially facing former teammates Silvan Widmer and Fabian Frei, both of whom he played with during his time at Mainz. He revealed a humorous anecdote about informing Frei of his move to Zürich, noting that Frei was “visibly annoyed” that he hadn’t been told sooner.
Currently, Hack is focused on finding accommodation in Zürich, but he doesn’t anticipate being overwhelmed by the city’s high housing costs, having previously lived in New York.
A Complementary Pairing with Valon Berisha?
Zürich’s squad is set to be further bolstered by the arrival of Valon Berisha, who completed a move from Linz on Wednesday. Hediger described the two players as contrasting personalities, stating, “Valon is very different from Alex. Valon is burning, he is always under tension, always energized.”
Hediger suggested that the pairing of Hack and Berisha could be a successful one, describing them as “fire and ice.”
The victory over Winterthur was not without its moments of self-deprecating humor from the Zürich players. Lindrit Kamberi reportedly joked about losing even with a man advantage in a previous match, while Bledian Krasniqi quipped that Zürich was “the worst team in the league,” referencing comments made on the recent episode of the “FORZA!” podcast. These comments, while lighthearted, suggest a team determined to improve and shed its recent struggles.
– The win against Winterthur marks a positive turning point for FC Zürich, and the early signs suggest that Alexander Hack will play a crucial role in their resurgence.
