Marcel Koller loses Zurich premiere - Heinz Lindner makes debut

FC Zürich has had a less than satisfactory start to the new league season. Former ÖFB national team coach Marcel Koller's debut saw a 1:2 away defeat in St. Gallen.

Against the league runner-up, things looked good for a long time, with Zürich leading 1:0 thanks to a Umeh goal (50'). However, St. Gallen managed to turn the game around (Görtler/70', Hunziker/74').

Zürich still needs time

"We had the game well under control in the first half. We should or could have been leading 2:0. Then it might have been a different game. In the second half, St. Gallen put pressure on us. We are not yet at the stage where we can keep up with this high tempo and implement it. We still need some time for that," Koller said to "blue" after the match.

There are still points to improve. "We showed a good game and we have to keep working – also on teamwork. So that everyone helps each other and someone steps in when another is having some problems," said the former ÖFB national team coach.

Heinz Lindner makes unexpected debut

ÖFB goalkeeper Heinz Lindner made an unexpected debut, as number one Silas Huber was injured.

Lindner told "Blick": "It became clear in the middle of the week because Silas was a bit bruised and couldn't train. For me, it was nice to be back on the pitch. The result wasn't so nice."

Regarding the match, he said: "We let the game slip away; we have to be smarter and more attentive."

The former Austria goalkeeper already knows Koller from the national team. "We are only at the beginning; we will emerge stronger with him (Koller, Ed.)," Lindner clarified.