Chapuisat gives Lausanne their due

FC Lausanne-Sport face a steep learning curve in UEFA Europa League Group F but former Switzerland striker Stéphane Chapuisat is delighted to see his home-town club on the rise again.

Now on the coaching staff of fellow UEFA Europa League contenders BSC Young Boys, the 41-year-old Chapuisat has been thrilled with Lausanne's progress under coach Martin Rueda. Lausanne earned a European place as beaten Swiss Cup finalists last season, then shocked FC Lokomotiv Moskva in the UEFA Europa League play-offs to reach the group stage – no small achievement for a side playing in the Swiss second tier.

"It shows that the club is still alive," he told UEFA.com. "A lot of people go to watch their games. There's a real passion from the public. Lausanne are like Servette FC [bankrupt in 2005 but now back in the Swiss second division]. They need to get back to the Super League, and we hope that one or both of those teams get there quickly, as they are needed."

Between 1906 and 2002 Lausanne played just one season outside the top flight, but that proud record ran aground when they were refused a Super League licence for 2002/03 for financial reasons. They were declared bankrupt at the end of that campaign, and, after being re-formed, started 2003/04 in Switzerland's fourth tier. Back-to-back promotions immediately followed.

"The club started again at regional level and it wasn't easy," said Chapuisat, who represented seven-time national champions Lausanne from 1987 to 1990 before moving to Germany with Bayer 05 Uerdingen and Borussia Dortmund. "The first part went well, but the next step is the tough one – getting to the Super League. But reaching the cup final last year and getting to play in the Europa League is something incredible for the club."

The 103-cap former international likes the look of Rueda's side, who have benefited from the return of another old boy with national-team experience, 35-year-old midfielder Fabio Celestini. "He spent many years abroad but put himself at disposal of the club which is something wonderful," said Chapuisat. "Players like Nicolas Marazzi, with top-flight experience, have also raised the standard. They signed a goalscorer in Silvio, and Jocelyn Roux can score too."

Even if one point from three Group F fixtures represents a disappointing return for Lausanne ahead of Thursday's visit from AC Sparta Praha, Chapuisat believes their example – and that of Young Boys – shows how Swiss football is coming on. "We [Young Boys] are playing well and Lausanne are fighting really hard for a second division team," he said. "It also shows that the quality of Swiss football is pretty good, and if we are not taken seriously Swiss clubs will do well."