FC Zurich vs SpVgg Greuther Fürth

Playing at the Julius-Strohmayer-Stadion in Mindelheim, Fürth took the lead from the spot in the 29th minute. FC Zürich defender Selmin Hodža brought down his man in the box, and Felix Klaus stepped up to convert the penalty for 1-0.

Zürich responded with a quickfire double just before half-time. Juan José Perea levelled in the 40th minute after a build-up involving Leandro Schodler, and two minutes later Schodler himself found the net, finishing from Perea's assist to flip the score to 2-1 inside 120 seconds.

But Fürth emerged a different side after the break. Dennis Srbeny equalised in the 53rd minute, turning home a delivery from Gian-Luca Itter. The decisive moment came in the 70th minute when Zürich conceded a second penalty, and Klaus again kept his composure from 12 yards to make it 3-2.

Zürich's untidy start to the second half — they failed to register a shot on target between the 42nd minute and the 70th-minute penalty concession — allowed Fürth to seize control. Srbeny's equaliser eight minutes after the restart came from a phase of sustained pressure, and the second penalty, conceded by a stretched defence, effectively ended the contest. Fürth made nine substitutions in the 71st minute while Zürich used none, underlining the Swiss side's desire to give their first XI a full 90-minute run-out.

Felix Klaus (SpVgg Greuther Fürth) — Two penalties, both clinically taken. The new captain led by example in his first pre-season appearance against a top-flight opponent. Player of the match.

Dennis Srbeny (SpVgg Greuther Fürth) — Scored the crucial equaliser five minutes into the second half and was substituted immediately after, his work done. His movement caused Zürich's centre-backs problems all afternoon.

Juan José Perea (FC Zürich) — A goal and an assist in a two-minute spell just before the break. He was Zürich's most dangerous attacker, but faded along with the rest of the side after half-time.

Both teams scored from their only two shots on target in the first half, a frantic spell that yielded three goals in 13 minutes. The second half was a different story: Fürth's early equaliser shifted momentum, and Zürich managed just one attempt after the 53rd minute — a headed effort that did not trouble the goalkeeper (per the SGF live feed). The penalty count (2-0 to Fürth) reflects the visitors' increasing penetration into the Zürich box as the game wore on.

This was FC Zürich's final pre-season friendly before the Swiss Super League campaign begins. Marcel Koller's side travel to St. Gallen on Sunday 26 July for the opening matchday. The defeat extends a mixed pre-season for Zürich, who have been inconsistent in build-up play.

For Greuther Fürth, the win is the first against a professional opponent this summer following earlier results against SC Eltersdorf (3-0 win), Eintracht Bamberg (3-1 win) and SpVgg Bayreuth (0-1 loss). The 2. Bundesliga side face their toughest test yet next Saturday when they take on Bundesliga side TSG 1899 Hoffenheim.

A tale of two halves: Zürich's sharp finishing before the break was undone by a passive second-half display and two needless penalties. Fürth's patience paid off — Heiko Vogel's side grew into the game, exploited space after the interval, and showed the resilience of a team that knows its shape. The scoreline flattered neither side, but the result was a fair reflection of second-half dominance.

Match played at Julius-Strohmayer-Stadion, Mindelheim, 18 July 2026. No official attendance was published. Quote from Heiko Vogel via dpa, as reported by Radio Plassenburg.