The 'Big Canton' overshadows Zürich

Swiss sides' disappointing record against their German counterparts in Europe will be a further drain on FC Zürich's confidence as they meet Hamburger SV.

League slump
Champions for the last two seasons in Switzerland, Zürich's chances of claiming a famous hat-trick of titles may be dwindling with the after-effects of an unsettling summer belatedly kicking in. Having denied fellow UEFA Cup contenders FC Basel 1893 the title for the past two seasons, they now trail Christian Gross's side by six points and are third, a point behind BSC Young Boys.

Talent drain
Given the talent they lost in the summer, it is hardly surprising that Zürich have wilted a little. Gökhan Inler joined Udinese Calcio, Blerim Dzemaili went to Bolton Wanderers FC, Xavier Margairaz is now at CA Osasuna while Steve von Bergen signed for Hertha BSC Berlin, where he linked up with Zürich coach Lucien Favre, the man who created the team that took those two titles.

Sharp dip
Under Favre's replacemet Bernard Challandes, Zürich made a decent start to the season, surging straight to the top of the table, but their increased involvement in European competition has coincided with a sharp dip in form. They go into tonight's first leg having lost five of their last seven games in all competitions.

Welcome release
Understandably in the circumstances, the enthusiasm of Zürich fans is beginning to wane and the 56-year-old Challandes, formerly coach of Young Boys and Servette FC, is the focus of many supporters' anger. A European success at the new Letzigrund Stadium – revamped to host matches at UEFA EURO 2008™ – would be a welcome release, but the odds are hardly in Zürich's favour.

'Big Canton'
Swiss sides have rightly felt a little overawed by teams from the so-called 'Big Canton' over the border. In 68 meetings between Swiss and German sides in UEFA club competition, the Swiss have won 13 games and lost 37, while Zürich's eight matches against German opposition produced two victories and six defeats – with both of those successes coming against clubs from the former East Germany.

Zidane comparisons
The most recent of those cross-border meetings was a 5-0 battering at home to Bayer 04 Leverkusen in their final game of the UEFA Cup group stage which took Zürich down to third place, hence the meeting with one of the pool winners, Hamburg. With defender Hannu Tihinen doubtful with a heel problem for tonight's game, Zürich can only hope that Tunisian midfielder Yassine Chikhaoui will finally come good. Having shone at the Africa Cup of Nations, the 21-year-old has yet to justify comparisons to Zinédine Zidane on European soil. Zürich may need this to be his moment.