FC Sion lost 2-1 to FC Thun on Friday in the top-of-the-table clash in the Challenge League. It was the Valais outfit's first defeat of 2024, but they remain top of the table with a two-point lead over second-placed FC Thun.

The facts

The start of the match was not kind to FC Sion. In the space of twelve minutes, the Valaisans found themselves behind and without Bouchlarhem, who went off injured. Marc Gutbub's long ball down the left into the path of a stranded defence opened the scoring after just four minutes. Moments later, Théo Bouchlarhem called for treatment and was immediately replaced. 

Despite these repeated blows of fate, the Sédunois managed to pick themselves up and get back into the game. Dejan Sorgic surprised the entire Bernese defence after some good work in the air by Numa Lavanchy, only to be denied by goalkeeper Matic. Tobias Thies had no option but to whistle for a penalty, which was perfectly converted by Reto Ziegler. The scores were reset at half-time. 

After the break, the game became more evenly contested, with neither team able to create any real chances. It was not until the 79th minute that Sutter scored from a Castroman corner to give Thun the lead. That lead remained unchanged until the final whistle.

The compositions

FC Sion - FC Thun 1-2 (1-1)
Sion, Stade de Tourbillon, 9820 spectators
Referees: Thies; Jobin, Lengacher; Prskalo.
Goals: 3' Gutbub (0-1), 39' Ziegler (1-1, P), 79' Sutter (1-2)
Warnings: 10' Gutbub, 48' Roth, 65' Dähler, 71' Chouaref, 80' Kabacalman, 94' Dähler.
Sent off: 94' Dähler
FC Sion: Fayulu; Lavanchy, Schmied, Ziegler, Hefti; Baltazar, Kabacalman (84' Kronig); Berdayes (64' Souza), Bouchlarhem (13' Chouaref), Chipperfield (84' Rusev); Sorgic.
FC Thun: Matic; Dähler, Sutter (86' Dushica), Bürki, Franke; Bertone, Janjicic, Roth (71' Castroman); Dos Santos (71' Sessolo); Gutbub (62' Sacko), Kone.
Notes: Sion without Itaitinga and Bua (injured). Thun without Bamert, Matoshi (suspended), Tebily and Wyssen (injured).

What's next

The Valaisans will take advantage of the international break to play Lucerne in a friendly in central Switzerland on Friday. A week later, Didier Tholot's men will take on Stade Nyonnais in Vaud.

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