2023–24 Grasshopper Club Zurich season explained

Club:Grasshopper Club Zurich
Season:2023–24
Manager:Marco Schällibaum
Chairman:András Gurovits
Stadium:Letzigrund,
Zürich, Switzerland
League:Swiss Super League
League Result:11th
Cup1:Swiss Cup
Cup1 Result:2nd Round
League Topscorer:Tsiy-William Ndenge (8 goals)
Season Topscorer:Tsiy-William Ndenge (8 goals)
Highest Attendance:19,326
Lowest Attendance:3,180
Average Attendance:6,967
Largest Win:5–0
Largest Loss:0–3
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Prevseason:2022–23
Nextseason:2024–25
Updated:31 May 2024

The 2023–24 Grasshopper Club Zurich season is the club's third season back in the Swiss Super League, after winning promotion in 2021. The season will start on 22 July 2023.[1] Grasshoppers will also participate in the Swiss Cup.

As the team finished eleventh (second to last) in the league, they also participate in the relegation play-off, where they faced FC Thun of the Challenge League. The play-off consisted of a two legs, played on 26 and 31 May 2024, respectively.

Squad

Players

No.NameNationalityDate of birth (age)at GCZ sinceGoalsFormer club
Goalkeepers
23Nicolas GlausGK2002 5, df=yes06/202300Stuttgart II
29Manuel KuttinGK1993 12, df=yes06/202330free agent
71Justin HammelGK2000 12, df=yes06/2022500Lausanne-Ouchy
90Steven DeanaGK1990 3, df=yes02/202410Lugano
Defenders
2Dirk AbelsRB1997 6, df=yes07/2023280Sparta Rotterdam
3Nigel LonwijkRB2002 10, df=yes07/202310Wolverhampton (on loan)
4Kristers TobersCB2000 12, df=yes07/2023320Lechia Gdańsk
5Joshua LawsCB1998 2, df=yes08/2023230Wellington Phoenix
12Maksim PaskotšiCB2003 1, df=yes09/2023290Tottenham Hotspur
14Théo NdickaLB2000 4, df=yes08/2023301Oostende
15Ayumu SekoCB2000 6, df=yes01/2022863Cerezo Osaka
24Michael KempterLB1995 1, df=yes06/202360St. Gallen
52Samuel MarquesCB2005 2, df=yes04/202400own youth
54Liam BollatiRB2003 11, df=yes11/2023100Kriens (on loan)
57Elvir ZukajCB2002 7, df=yes07/202330own youth
73Florian HoxhaLB2001 2, df=yes07/2021291own youth
Midfielders
6Amir AbrashiCM1990 3, df=yes06/202123911Basel
7Tsiy-William NdengeDM1997 6, df=yes07/20226212Luzern
8Giotto MorandiPM1999 3, df=yes06/201912819own youth
10Meritan ShabaniAM1999 3, df=yes07/2022343Wolverhampton
11Pascal SchürpfAM1989 7, df=yes06/2023295Luzern
17Dion KacuriAM2004 2, df=yes10/2021311own youth
19Dijon KameriAM2004 4, df=yes02/202460RB Salzburg (on loan)
19Theo CorbeanuRW2002 5, df=yes07/2023181Wolverhampton (on loan)
20Noah BlasucciAM1999 6, df=yes09/202231Brühl
40Robin KalemMF2002 7, df=yes06/2020241own youth
53Tim MeyerCM2004 7, df=yes07/2023210own youth
55Damian NiggRW2005 4, df=yes07/202340own youth
70Oliver Batista MeierAM2001 2, df=yes02/202480Dynamo Dresden (on loan)
77Filipe de CarvalhoLW2003 12, df=yes01/2022584own youth
Forwards
9Bradley FinkCF2003 4, df=yes07/2023344Basel (on loan)
21Awer MabilLW1995 9, df=yes08/2023224Cádiz
22Francis MomohST2001 3, df=yes08/20217812Heartland
27Asumah AbubakarCF1997 5, df=yes01/2024182Luzern
27Renat DadashovCF1999 5, df=yes07/20224010Wolverhampton
74Elmin RastoderCF2001 10, df=yes01/2022110own youth
99Dorian BabunskiST1996 8, df=yes08/2023314Debrecen

Players in italic left the club during the season.

Coaching staff

PositionNameSince
Head coach 04/2024[2]
Assistant coach Aurélien Mioch 06/2023[3]
Assistant coach 07/2023[4]
Fitness coach Manuel Fässler 06/2023
Athletic coach Philippe Hasler 05/2021
Goalie Coach 06/2021[5]
Video analyst Rain Nappir 04/2021

Transfers

In

scope=colDatescope=colPlayerTransferred fromscope=colFee/notesscope=colRef.
FC WinterthurUnknown fee[6]
FC Winterthur
40 SchaffhausenLoan return[7]
50 SchaffhausenLoan return
74 VaduzLoan return
24 St. GallenFree signing[8]
29 Free AgentFree signing[9]
44 VfB Stuttgart IIFree signing
11 FC LuzernFree signing[10]
Grasshopper II
4 Lechia GdańskFree signing[11]
19 WolverhamptonLoan[12]
3 WolverhamptonLoan
2 Sparta RotterdamFree Signing[13]
9 FC BaselLoan[14]
5 Wellington PhoenixFree Signing[15]
21 Cádiz CFUnknown fee[16]
99 DebrecenUndisclosed fee[17]
14 OostendeUndisclosed fee[18]
12 Tottenham HotspurUndisclosed fee[19]
27 LuzernUndisclosed fee[20]
70 Dynamo DresdenLoan[21]
19 Red Bull SalzburgLoan[22]
90 LuganoFree signing[23]
YverdonUnknown fee

Out

scope=colDatescope=colPlayerTransferred toscope=colFee/notesscope=colRef.
Resignation
Termination
25 Free AgentContract Expiry
33 Free AgentContract expiry
34 ShimizuLoan return
40 WolverhamptonLoan return
41 VfL BochumContract expiry
77 WolverhamptonLoan return
52 Young BoysContract Expiry[24]
28 Dunajská StredaContract expiry[25]
10 NK OsijekContract Expiry[26] [27]
9 FC AarauContract Expiry[28]
1 Al Raed FCContract Expiry
95 BragaLoan return
51 FC Cosmos KoblenzContract Expiry
93 Free agentContract Expiry
50 SchaffhausenLoan[29]
31 FC BaselUndisclosed Fee
14 Vitória S.C.Undisclosed Fee[30] [31]
27 HataysporLoan[32]
3 WolverhamptonLoan return[33]
19 WolverhamptonLoan return[34]
74 VaduzLoan [35]
17 BaselUndisclosed fee[36]
Termination[37]

Absences

Injuries and other Absences

scope=colStartscope=colEndscope=colPlayerReason/Injuryscope=colscope=colRef.
22 Francis MomohKnee surgery0[38] [39] [40]
77 Filipe de CarvalhoPartial ACL rupture0[41]
11 Pascal SchürpfKnee issues4[42]
14 Tomás RibeiroBroken Nose0[43]
3 Nigel LonwijkTorn muscle fiber10[44] [45]
10 Meritan ShabaniAdductor injury4[46] [47]
8 Giotto MorandiTorn hamstring3[48] [49]
24CL and meniscus injury36[50]
53Metatarsal bone fracture8[51] [52]
10Cruciate ligament injury30[53]
2Torn calf muscle and tendon injury8[54]
3 Nigel LonwijkTorn hamstring2[55]
19 Theo CorbeanuTorn ankle ligament1
11 Pascal SchürpfTorn hamstring4
5Torn hamstring0
5Unknown injury3[56]
77 Filipe de CarvalhoUnknown injury2
74 Elmin RastoderUnknown injury2
21 Awer MabilThigh injury and surgery13[57]
55 Damian NiggUnknown injury12
54 Liam BollatiUnknown injury1
7 Tsiy-William NdengeKnee injury and surgery6
29 Manuel KuttinBroken finger6
2Torn hamstring3[58]
8 Giotto MorandiTorn hamstring3[59]
9 Bradley FinkTorn hamstring2
19 Dijon KameriLateral meniscus injury and surgery13[60]
4 Kristers TobersHamstring injury4[61] [62]

Suspensions

scope=colDatescope=colPlayerNotescope=colscope=colRef.
6 Amir Abrashi1[63]
4 Kristers Tobers1[64]
2 Dirk Abels1[65]
22 Francis Momoh1[66]
27 Asumah AbubakarViolent conduct2[67] [68]
2 Dirk AbelsYellow-red card1[69]
6 Amir Abrashi1
8 Giotto Morandi1
5 Joshua LawsYellow-red card1[70]
5 Joshua LawsDenying a goalscoring opportunity1[71]
4 Kristers Tobers1[72]
9 Bradley FinkAbusive language3
531
15 Ayumu Seko1[73]

Test Games

Pre-season

On 30 May 2023, Grasshoppers announced their preparation plan for the pre-season.[74] Preparation starts on 19 June and ends before the season begins on 22 July 2023. It will include a short training camp in Crans-Montana, Valais and four test matches. A fifth test-match against FC Wettswil-Bonstetten of the First League before the season begin was announced on 10 July 2023.[75]

Mid-season (Autumn)

On 26 July 2023, the first mid-season test match against FC Rapperswil-Jona of the Swiss Promotion League was announced for 2 August 2023, between the second and third rounds of the season.[76] Grasshoppers held test matches during all three international breaks of autumn 2023: YF Juventus of the 1st League on 19 September 2023[77] and Challenge League sides FC Schaffhausen and FC Wil on 18 October 2023[78] and 17 November 2023,[79] respectively.

Winter Break

The preparation schedule for the winter break was announced on 19 December 2023.[80] Following the Christmas break, training will resume on 2 January 2024. During preparation, test games against four Swiss Challenge League teams were scheduled: FC Wil, Neuchâtel Xamax, FC Thun, and FC Baden.

Mid-season (Spring)

On 26 February 2024, a test game against FC Rapperswil-Jona was announced for the following day.[81] Two further test games were scheduled during the international break in March.[82]

Competitions

Swiss Super League

See main article: 2023–24 Swiss Super League.

Results Breakdown

Home/Away Statistics
By Phase
By Month
Results by Round

Results

Relegation Play-off

Grasshopper Club Zurich wins 3–2 on aggregate.

Swiss Cup

See main article: 2023–24 Swiss Cup.

Opponent's league indicated in brackets.

Awards

Fan Awards

Hopper of the Month
  • August: Amir Abrashi[83]
  • September: Theo Corbeanu[84]
  • October: Tsiy-William Ndenge[85]
  • November: Francis Momoh[86]
  • December: Justin Hammel[87]
  • January: Justin Hammel[88]
  • February: Justin Hammel[89]
  • March: Justin Hammel[90]
  • April: The Fans[91]
  • May: Giotto Morandi[92]
    Goal of the season[93]
    1. Pascal Schürpf (2–1 vs FC Zürich on 28 January 2024)
    2. Pascal Schürpf (2–3 vs Yverdon-Sport FC on 7 April 2024)
    3. Dorian Babunski (1–0 vs FC Basel on 9 December 2023)
    Player of the season[94]
    1. Justin Hammel
    2. Amir Abrashi
    3. Giotto Morandi

    Official Awards

    SFL-PLayer of the Round
  • Round 34: Giotto Morandi[95]

    Other Awards

    Team of the Season
  • Tages-Anzeiger: Justin Hammel[96]

    Notes and References

    1. News: SFL veröffentlicht Datenplan der Saison 2023/24 . 7 December 2022 . 13 December 2022 . Swiss Football League . de.
    2. Web site: Grasshopper Club Zurich. Marco Schällibaum appointed new Head Coach at GC Zurich . 10 April 2024. 15 April 2024.
    3. Web site: Mioch and Fässler Complete the Coaching Team. Grasshopper Club Zurich. 2023-06-19.
    4. News: Burim Kukeli joins 1st team coaching staff. . 21 July 2023. 21 July 2023.
    5. Web site: Erminio Piserchia and Jörg Stiel New at GC. 2021-06-18. Grasshopper Club Zurich. www.gcz.ch.
    6. Web site: Bruno Berner Becomes The New Head Coach. Grasshopper Club Zurich. 2023-06-09.
    7. Web site: Grasshopper Club Zurich. End of Season Squad Update. 25 May 2023. 26 May 2023.
    8. Web site: Grasshopper Club Zurich. Kempter signs with GZ Zurich. 18 June 2023. 18 June 2023.
    9. Web site: Grasshopper Club Zurich. GC Zurich signs two goalkeepers for the 1st team. 19 June 2023. 19 June 2023.
    10. Web site: Grasshopper Club Zurich. GC Zurich sign Pascal Schürpf. 19 June 2023. 19 June 2023.
    11. Web site: Grasshopper Club Zurich. GC Zurich signs Kristers Tobers. 3 July 2023. 3 July 2023.
    12. Web site: Grasshopper Club Zurich. GC Zurich signs Corbeanu and Lonwijk. 4 July 2023. 4 July 2023.
    13. Web site: Grasshopper Club Zurich. GC Zurich signs Dirk Abels. 17 July 2023. 17 July 2023.
    14. Web site: Grasshopper Club Zurich. Bradley Fink joins GC Zurich and Dominik Schmid signs for FC Basel 1893. 20 July 2023. 20 July 2023.
    15. Web site: Grasshopper Club Zurich. GC Zürich signs centre back Joshua Laws. 15 August 2023. 15 August 2023.
    16. Web site: Grasshopper Club Zurich. Grasshopper Club Zurich signs Awer Mabil. 21 August 2023. 21 August 2023.
    17. Web site: Grasshopper Club Zurich. Grasshopper Club Zurich signs striker Dorian Babunski. 28 August 2023. 28 August 2023.
    18. Web site: Grasshopper Club Zurich. Grasshopper Club Zurich signs left-back Théo Ndicka. 29 August 2023. 29 August 2023.
    19. Web site: GC Zurich signs centre-back Maksim Paskotši . . 6 September 2023 . 6 September 2023.
    20. Web site: GC Zurich signs Asumah Abubakar . . 29 January 2024 . 29 January 2024.
    21. Web site: GC Zurich signs Oliver Batista Meier on loan . . 2 February 2024 . 4 February 2024.
    22. Web site: Dijon Kameri on loan to GC Zurich. . 8 February 2024 . 8 February 2024.
    23. Web site: GC Zurich signs Goalkeeper Steven Deana. . 15 February 2024 . 15 February 2024.
    24. Web site: YB verpflichtet Malik Deme. 6 June 2023. 7 June 2023. BSC Young Boys.
    25. Web site: Christián Herc sa vracia do DAC-u!. 25 July 2023. 25 July 2023. FC DAC 1904 Dunajská Streda. Krisztián. Nagy. sk. Christián Herc is coming back to DAC!.
    26. Web site: Grasshopper Club Zurich. Petar Pusic leaves Grasshopper Club Zurich. 16 June 2023. 16 June 2023.
    27. Web site: NK Osijek. Petar Pušić novi igrač NK Osijek!. 17 July 2023. 17 July 2023.
    28. Web site: Grasshopper Club Zurich. Shkelqim Demhasaj leaves Grasshopper Club Zurich. 16 June 2023. 16 June 2023.
    29. Web site: Grasshopper Club Zurich. Simone Stroscio is back on loan at FC Schaffhausen. 19 July 2023. 19 July 2023.
    30. Web site: Vitória S.C.. Tomás Ribeiro junta-se à defesa . 20 July 2023. 21 July 2023. pt . Tomás Ribeiro joins the defense.
    31. Web site: Grasshopper Club Zurich. Tomás Ribeiro leaves GC Zurich. 21 July 2023. 21 July 2023.
    32. Web site: 5 September 2023 . Renat Dadashov to go on loan while extending contract . 5 September 2023 . . en.
    33. Web site: Injruy Update Lonwijk leaves GC Zurich. 2023-11-16. gcz.ch. 2023-11-16.
    34. Web site: Grasshopper Club Zurich. Corbeanu returns to the Wolves. 19 January 2024. 19 January 2024.
    35. Web site: Grasshopper Club Zurich. Elim Rastoder returns to FC Vaduz on loan. 6 February 2024. 6 February 2024.
    36. Web site: Grasshopper Club Zurich. Dion Kacuri leaves GC Zurich to join FC Basel 1893. 7 February 2024. 7 February 2024.
    37. Web site: Grasshopper Club Zurich. GC Zurich parting ways with Bruno Berner. 9 April 2024. 15 April 2024.
    38. Includes only games of the current season
    39. Web site: Knee Surgery for Momoh. 2023-01-20. gcz.ch. 2023-01-19.
    40. Web site: Testspiel gegen Lustenau. 2023-07-17. gcz.ch. 2023-06-30.
    41. Web site: Filipe de Carvalho out for the season. 2023-05-03. gcz.ch. 2023-05-03.
    42. Web site: Erstes Testspiel für die Hoppers. 2023-07-17. gcz.ch. 2023-06-23.
    43. Web site: Testspiel gegen Lausanne Ouchy. 2023-07-17. gcz.ch. 2023-07-06.
    44. Web site: Letzter Test vor dem Start. 2023-07-17. gcz.ch. 2023-07-17.
    45. Web site: Nigel Lonwijk back in training. 2023-10-18. gcz.ch. 2023-10-17.
    46. Web site: Preview GC vs. Lausanne / Injury Update. 2023-07-28. gcz.ch. 2023-07-28.
    47. Web site: GC hosts Lucerne. 2023-09-01. gcz.ch. 2023-08-26.
    48. Web site: Injury Update - Giotto Morandi suffers injury. 2023-08-14. gcz.ch. 2023-08-14.
    49. Web site: Away game in Western Switzerland. 2023-09-01. gcz.ch. 2023-09-01.
    50. Web site: Grasshopper Club Zurich. End of season for Michael Kempter. 1 September 2023. 1 September 2023.
    51. Web site: Grasshopper Club Zurich. Tim Meyer out injured. 21 September 2023. 11 October 2023.
    52. Web site: Grasshopper Club Zurich. Away in Geneva. 25 November 2023. 26 November 2023.
    53. Web site: Grasshopper Club Zurich. End of season for Meritan Shabani. 10 October 2023. 11 October 2023.
    54. Web site: Grasshopper Club Zurich. Dirk Abels suffers injury. 23 October 2023. 23 October 2023.
    55. Web site: Corbeanu and Lonwijk sidelined due to injury. 2023-11-06. gcz.ch. 2023-11-06.
    56. Web site: Away at Basel. 2023-12-09. gcz.ch. 2023-12-08.
    57. Web site: Restart in Bern. 19 January 2024. gcz.ch. 19 January 2024.
    58. Web site: GC Zurich hosts Luzern. 23 February 2024. gcz.ch. 23 February 2024.
    59. Web site: Visiting Stade-Lausanne. 1 March 2024. gcz.ch. 1 March 2024.
    60. Web site: GC Zurich hosts Lausanne-Sport. 31 March 2024. gcz.ch. 15 April 2024.
    61. Web site: Kisters Tobers out injured. 1 April 2024. gcz.ch. 15 April 2024.
    62. Web site: SLO visits GC Zurich. 4 May 2024. gcz.ch. 3 May 2024.
    63. Web site: Captain Abrashi fehlt GC gegen YB. 30 September 2023. sfl.ch. 29 September 2023.
    64. Web site: Zwei Spielsperren für drei Spieler. sfl.ch. 6 November 2023.
    65. Web site: Abels und Hamdiu auch am Wochenende gesperrt . sfl.ch. 2 February 2024.
    66. Web site: 3 Spieler und 1 Trainer erhalten jeweils eine Spielsperre . sfl.ch. 5 February 2024.
    67. Web site: Vier Spiele für Crivelli, drei für Abubakar . sfl.ch. 12 February 2024.
    68. Web site: Sanktionen gegen Crivelli und Abubakar reduziert . sfl.ch. 22 February 2024.
    69. Web site: Zwei Spiele für Grgic und Gunnarsson . sfl.ch. 19 February 2024.
    70. Web site: 12 Spieler und zwei Trainer sind gesperrt. sfl.ch. 11 March 2024.
    71. Web site: Laws muss ein Spiel aussetzen. sfl.ch. 8 April 2024.
    72. Web site: Drei Spielsperren für Fink. sfl.ch. 6 May 2024.
    73. Web site: 12 Spieler gesperrt. sfl.ch. 13 May 2024.
    74. Web site: Grasshopper Club Zurich. Pre-season Plan 2023/24. 30 May 2023. 2 June 2023.
    75. Web site: Grasshopper Club Zurich. Hoppers testen gegen Wettswil-Bonstetten. 10 July 2023. 10 July 2023.
    76. Web site: Grasshopper Club Zurich. GC testen gegen Rapperswil-Jona. 26 July 2023. 26 July 2023.
    77. Web site: Grasshopper Club Zurich. Cup-Aus in Sion. 15 September 2023. 20 September 2023.
    78. Web site: Grasshopper Club Zurich. Friendly game against FC Schaffhausen. 11 October 2023. 11 October 2023.
    79. Web site: Grasshopper Club Zurich. Test Match against FC Wil . 14 November 2023. 14 November 2023.
    80. Web site: Grasshopper Club Zurich. The Hoppers Preparation Schedule. 19 December 2023. 19 December 2023.
    81. Web site: Grasshopper Club Zurich. Test gegen Rapperswil-Jona. 26 February 2024. 26 February 2024.
    82. Web site: Grasshopper Club Zurich. Zwei Testspiele in der Länderspielpause. 19 March 2024. 20 March 2024.
    83. Web site: Grasshopper Club Zurich. Amir Abrashi is our Hopper of the Month August. 1 September 2023. 7 October 2023.
    84. Web site: Grasshopper Club Zurich. Theo Corbeanu is the Hopper of the Month September. 6 October 2023. 7 October 2023.
    85. Web site: Grasshopper Club Zurich. Tsiy Ndenge is the Hopper of the Month October. 3 November 2023. 3 November 2023.
    86. Web site: Grasshopper Club Zurich. Francis Momoh is the Hopper of the Month November. 1 December 2023. 28 December 2023.
    87. Web site: Grasshopper Club Zurich. Justin Hammel is the Hopper of the Month December. 1 January 2024. 4 January 2024.
    88. Web site: Grasshopper Club Zurich. Justin Hammel is the Hopper of the Month January. 5 February 2024. 6 February 2024.
    89. Web site: Grasshopper Club Zurich. Justin Hammel is the Hopper of the Month February. 29 February 2024. 29 February 2024.
    90. Web site: Grasshopper Club Zurich. Justin Hammel is the Hopper of the Month March. 29 March 2024. 7 May 2024.
    91. Web site: Grasshopper Club Zurich. The Fans win Hopper of the Month April. 30 April 2024. 7 May 2024.
    92. Web site: Grasshopper Club Zurich. Giotto Morandi is the Hopper of the Month May. 6 June 2024. 6 June 2024.
    93. Web site: Grasshopper Club Zurich. Schürpf's Derby Goal "Goal of the Season 2023/24". 17 June 2024. 17 June 2024.
    94. Web site: Grasshopper Club Zurich. Justin Hammel "Player of the Season 23/24". 17 June 2024. 17 June 2024.
    95. Web site: Grasshopper Club Zurich. Giotto Morandi SFL Player of the 34th round. 7 May 2024. 7 May 2024.
    96. Web site: Tages-Anzeiger. Wieso? Keiner vom FCZ im Team der Saison – dafür einer von GC. 27 May 2024. 7 June 2024.