FC Sion continue to make progress. In front of their home crowd, the Sédunois beat FC Aarau 2-0 to maintain their position at the top of the Challenge League table.

The facts

Faced with a quality side that dominated possession, the Valaisans were able to rely on set-pieces to take a decisive lead in the first half. Théo Bouchlarhem twice came off the bench to beat Aargau keeper Hübel from corners. In the 14th and 36th minutes, he scored his first two goals in an official match for Sédun.

In the second half, the Red and Whites maintained their advantage. Solid and hard-working, Didier Tholot's men were able to count on unfailing defensive self-sacrifice and a number of saves from goalkeeper Fayulu. After 93 minutes of play, the Valaisans celebrated their twelfth win of the season, buoyed by the 5,850 spectators in attendance.

The result in Tourbillon keeps FC Sion top of the table and two points clear of FC Thun.

Reactions

Didier Tholot, FC Sion coach.

"It wasn't our best game, but we played with our heads. Aarau are without doubt the team with the best individual talent in the league. We didn't want to leave any space between the lines. So we opted to play a little deeper than usual. That didn't stop us from creating more clear-cut chances than they did.

"It's been a long time since we scored from corners. Top level football also means knowing how to win games from set-pieces.

"We've validated our preparations with two wins from our first two games. Now we have to continue to compete and take everything that comes our way!

Théo Bouchlarhem, striker.

"I think I'm going to sleep well (laughs). I've been waiting for these goals for a long time. We work as a team every day and to see that it's paying off is magnificent."

"You have to congratulate the team! You might not be able to see it from the outside, but the efforts made by the whole group should be highlighted."

"Was it the perfect match for me personally? Maybe so, but I had a lot of help from my team-mates. The set-pieces were well taken and I was there to put it away."

Composition

FC Sion - FC Aarau 2-0 (2-0)
Sion, Stade de Tourbillon, 5850 spectators.
Referees: Tobias Thies; Matthias Sbrissa, Linda Schmid; Zrinko Prskalo.
Goals: 14' Bouchlarhem (1-0), 36' Bouchlarhem (2-0),
Warnings: 16' Hefti, 49' Bouchlarhem, 58' Thaler, 64' Bua, 79' Baltazar.
FC Sion: Fayulu; Lavanchy, Schmied, Ziegler, Hefti; Bua, Kabacalman (72' Baltazar); Chipperfield (62' Berdayes), Chouaref (85' Diouf), Bouchlarhem; Sorgic (72' Sorgic).
FC Aarau: Hübel; Wetz, Cvetkovic, Thaler, Qollaku; Jäckle; Avdyli (64' Koide), Fazliu (80' Schwegler), Pappoe, Gjorgjev (90' Derbaci); Toure (64' Demhasaj).
Notes: Sion without Souza, Itaitinga (injured), Moubandje (not called up) and Kronig (not qualified). Aarau without Conus (ill), Gebreyesus (injured) and Theler (not qualified).

Next up

FC Sion will be back on home soil next week. On Friday, they host FC Baden in Tourbillon.

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