1996–97 FC Aarau season

FC Aarau 1996–97 120 Club president Ernst Lämmli Head-coach Martin Trümpler Stadion Brügglifeld,Aarau 1996–97 NLA Qualifying phase 4th of 12 Championship group 5th of 8 1996–97 Swiss Cup Round 5 1996–97 UEFA Cup First round Sepione Cup Winners Patrick de Napoli (13) Patrick de Napoli (13) 1995–96 1997–98 The 1996–97 season was FC Aarau's 94th season in their existence, since their foundation in 1902. It was their fifteenth season in the top flight of Swiss football, following their promotion at the end of 1980–81 season. FCA played their home games in the Stadion Brügglifeld and the stadium is located on the southern outskirts of Aarau, in the territory of the neighboring municipality of Suhr. It is about one and a half kilometers from Aarau city center and the railway station. Overview The local businessman and architect Ernst Lämmli was the club's chairman and patron at this time. He held this position since the AGM in 1989. Lämmli had appointed Martin Trümpler as head-coach for the previous season and Trümpler continued in this position for this season. The FCA first team competed in this season's domestic first-tier 1996–97 Nationalliga A with the clear intention of reaching the championship group and again to qualify for the European competitions. To achieve this would mean they would have to finish the qualifying stage under the top eight teams. The team also competed in the 1996–97 Swiss Cup. The FCA team had ended the previous season in fourth position and because the Swiss Cup winners, Sion, had finished in second position in the league table, the fourth league position was a slot that qualified them to play in the 1996–97 UEFA Cup. Further, as title holders of the pre-season Sempione-Cup, FCA also entered this year's edition of this competition. Players The following is the list of the FCA first team squad this season. It also includes players that were in the squad the day the domestic league season started, on 10 July 1996, but subsequently left the club after that date. 1 SUI GK Andreas Hilfiker league games: 29 SUI GK Ivan Benito league games: 8 SUI DF David Bader league games: 34 SUI DF Sven Christ league games: 29 SUI MF Marcel Heldmann league games: 0 SUI DF Marc Hodel league games: 31 SUI DF Bernd Kilian league games: 20 SUI DF Dejan Markovic league games: 3 SUI DF Frédéric Page league games: 1 CRO DF Mirko Pavličević league games: 36 SUI DF Beat Studer league games: 35 SUI DF Davide Zitola league games: 1 SUI MF Renato Brugnoli league games: 30 BUL MF Ivo Georgiev league games: 23 SUI MF Elvir Melunović league games: 8 SUI MF Christof Oldani league games: 14 NED MF Lodewijk Roembiak league games: 28 SUI MF Remo Senn league games: 4 POL MF Dariusz Skrzypczak league games: 32 SUI MF Gerardo Viceconte league games: 2 SUI MF André Wiederkehr league games: 26 MKD FW Sasa Ciric league games: 29 SUI FW Patrick de Napoli league games: 35 SUI FW Samuel Drakopulos league games: 4 LUX FW Jeff Saibene league games: 20 SUI FW Remo Tovagliaro league games: 2 SUI FW Carmine Viceconte league games: 5 Players who left the squad The following is the list of the FCZ first team players that left the squad during the previous season or in the off-season, before the new domestic season began. SUI GK Walter Müller retired SUI DF Moritz Gnehm to FC Muri (red) Aargauer Fussballverband 2025 https://matchcenter.afv.ch/default.aspx?lng=1&cxxlnus=1&v=262& FC Muri Aargauer Fussballverband - afv.ch de 2025-11-16 SUI DF Daniel Wyss to Luzern BRA MF Ratinho to 1. FC Kaiserslautern SUI FW Adrian Allenspach to FC St. Gallen SUI FW Philipp Andris to FC Wangen bei Olten SUI FW Daniel Krenn to FC Baden Results Legend #CCFFCC Win 1px solid #AAAAAA #FFFFCC Draw 1px solid #AAAAAA #FFCCCC Loss 1px solid #AAAAAA #CCCCCC Postponed 1px solid #AAAAAA Nationalliga A 1996–97 Nationalliga A Qualification phase The first stage of the NLA began on 10 July 1996 and was completed on 1 December. The top eight teams in the qualification phase would advance to the championship group and the last four teams would play against relegation. Round 1 10 July 1996 20:00 Aarau 0–1 FCB summaryFCA summary Basel Georgiev 89 58 0:1 La Placa74 Smajić Stadion Brügglifeld, Aarau 7,900 SUI Dieter Schoch (Attiswil) L FCA were without Heldmann, Kilian, Skrzypczak, Zitola (all injured) and Benito (suspended). Basel were without Sutter (injured). Yakin was taken out with a concussion and Zuffi with a strain. Round 2 17 July 1996 20:00 Zürich 1–1 FCZ summaryFCA summary Aarau Di Jorio 0 25Nonda 45 pen 8 Bader13 B. Studer27 Skrzypczak60 pen Wiederkehr Letzigrund, Zürich 7,600 SUI Adrian Stalder (Oberburg, Bern) D FCA were without Heldmann, Kilian and Zitola (all long-term injured). Round 3 20 July 1996 2:0 Sion 1–0 FCA summary Aarau Vercruysse 32 1:0Rey Vercruysse Duruz Studer Wiederkehr Stade Tourbillon, Sion 9,000 SUI Jürg Herrmann (Hinterkapplen (Wohlen bei Bern)) L FCA were without Heldmann, Kilian and Zitola (all long-term injured). Round 4 26 July 1996 20:00 Aarau 0–1 FCA summary Grasshopper Club Pavličević Hodel 65 0:1 Moldovan Gren Esposito Stadion Brügglifeld, Aarau 5,500 SUI Serge Muhmenthaler (Grenchen) L FCA were without Heldmann, Kilian and Zitola (all long-term injured). Round 5 30 July 1996 Xamax P–P [ FCA summary] Aarau Stade de la Maladière, Neuchâtel P Round 6 2 August 1996 20:00 Aarau 4–0 FCA summary Lugano Hodel 34 1:0Wiederkehr 38 pende Napoli 45 3:0Ciric 84 4:0 Stadion Brügglifeld, Aarau 3,100 SUI Dominique Tavel (Lonay) W FCA were without Heldmann, Kilian and Zitola (all long-term injured). Fair game, no cautions. Round 7 10 August 1996 20:00 Aarau 2–0 FCA summary Lausanne-Sport de Napoli 8 1:0de Napoli 18 2:0Roembiak Brugnoli Wiederkehr Thurre Piffaretti Stadion Brügglifeld, Aarau 3,400 SUI Kurt Zuppinger (Bremgarten, Aargau) W FCA were without Heldmann, Kilian and Zitola (all long-term injured). Round 8 16 August 1996 20:00 Luzern 0–1 FCA summary Aarau Karpf 0 90Müller Sermeter 7 0:1 de Napoli Roembiak de Napoli Wiederkehr Bader Stadion Allmend, Luzern 12,100 SUI Dieter Schoch (Attiswil) W FCA were without Heldmann, Kilian and Zitola (all long-term injured). Round 9 24 August 1996 20:00 Aarau 1–0 FCA summary Young Boys Ciric 81 1:0 Rotzetter Eich Stadion Brügglifeld, Aarau 4,100 SUI Freddy Philippoz (Sion) W FCA for the first time with Davide Zitola (substituted in the 90th minute) after his 8 month injury absence, but without Heldmann and Kilian (both long-term injured). Round 5 27 August 1996 20:00 Xamax 2–0 FCA summary Aarau Sandjak 73 1:0Bonalair 78 2:0Rothenbühler Roembiak de Napoli Stade de la Maladière, Neuchâtel 7,200 SUI Yvan Cornu L Match rescheduled after postponement on 30 July. FCA without Heldmann and Kilian (both long-term injured) and without Zitola (recovering). Round 10 3 September 1996 20:00 St. Gallen 1–1 FCA summary Aarau Allenspach 7 penMotaung 40 1:1 de Napoli Skrzypczak Studer Espenmoos, St. Gallen 6,500 SUI Dominique Tavel (Lonay) D FCA without Heldmann, Kilian (both long-term injured) and without Zitola (recovering). Round 11 6 September 1996 20:00 Aarau 1–1 FCA summary Servette Georgiev 82 1:0Roembiak de Napoli Georgiev Brugnoli 87 1:1 Ippoliti Barberis Pouget Cantaluppi Stadion Brügglifeld, Aarau 3,700 SUI Kurt Zuppinger (Bremgarten, Aargau) D FCA without Heldmann, Kilian and Zitola (all long-term injured). Round 12 14 September 1996 20:00 Basel 2–0 FCB summaryFCA summary Aarau Falub 4Armentano 18 1:0Armentano 18 Nyarko 24 2:0Frick 90 12 Bader66 Wiederkehr41 Christ St. Jakob Stadium, Basel 7,000 SUI Jürg Herrmann (Hinterkapplen (Wohlen bei Bern)) L FCB were without Moser and Konde (injured). FCA without Heldmann, Kilian and Zitola (all long-term injured), and De Napoli (suspended). Round 13 18 September 1996 20:00 Aarau 2–1 FCZ summary'FCA summary Zürich Roembiak 32 penĆirić 48 2:0Hodel 79Roembiak 90+1 37 Nonda82 2:1 Andersen Stadion Brügglifeld, Aarau 3,100 SUI Markus Nobs (Wohlen bei Bern) W FCA without Heldmann, Kilian and Zitola (all long-term injured). Round 14 28 September 1996 20:00 Aarau P–P FCA summary Sion Stadion Brügglifeld, Aarau P Round 15 9 October 1996 20:00 Grasshopper Club 0–0 FCA summary Aarau Esposito 2 46Thüler Gämperle Skrzypczak Drakopulos Pavličević Wiederkehr Hardturm, Zürich 5,100 LIE Roland Beck (Triesenberg) D FCA for the first time with Bernd Kilian (substituted in during the 87th minute) after his six month injury absence, but without Heldmann and Zitola (still both long-term injured). Round 16 12 October 1996 20:00 Aarau 1–1 FCA summary Xamax Hodel 38 1:0 68 1:1 Bonalair Stadion Brügglifeld, Aarau 3,500 SUI Hans Stalder D FCA without Heldmann and Zitola (both long-term injured). Fair game, no cautions. Round 17 19 October 1996 17:30 Lugano 0–1 FCA summary Aarau Morf Bugnard 64 0:1 Skrzypczak Cornaredo, Lugano 1,600 SUI Karl Strässle (Steinach) W FCA without Heldmann and Zitola (both long-term injured). Round 18 26 October 1996 20:00 Lausanne-Sport 0–1 FCA summary Aarau Ohrel 78 pen Roembiak Hodel Kilian Roembiak Olympique de la Pontaise, Lausanne 4,700 SUI Serge Muhmenthaler (Grenchen) W FCA without Heldmann and Zitola (both long-term injured). Round 19 3 November 1996 14:30 Aarau 0–0 FCA summary Luzern Hodel Fink Stadion Brügglifeld, Aarau 7,800 SUI Andreas Schluchter (Schönenbuch) D FCA without Heldmann and Zitola (both long-term injured). Round 14 13 November 1996 20:00 Aarau 0–0 FCA summary Sion Wiederkehr Studer Lonfat Biaggi Bertone Stadion Brügglifeld, Aarau 2,700 SUI Philippe Leuba (Chexbres) D FCA without Heldmann and Zitola (both long-term injured). Round 20 17 November 1996 14:30 Young Boys 1–1 FCA summary Aarau Ivanov 20 1:0Prytz 50 1:1 de Napoli Wankdorf Stadium, Bern 3,300 SUI Marcel Vollenweider (Rüti, Zürich) D FCA without Heldmann and Zitola (both long-term injured). Round 21 24 November 1996 14:30 Aarau 2–0 FCA summary St. Gallen Ciric 37 1:0de Napoli 51 2:0Christ Nyathi Koch Mouidi Zwyssig Stadion Brügglifeld, Aarau 3,800 SUI Jürg Herrmann (Hinterkapplen (Wohlen bei Bern)) W FCA without Heldmann and Zitola (both long-term injured). Round 22 1 December 1996 14:30 Servette 1–2 FCA summary Aarau Pouget 37 pen 28 0:1 de Napoli30 0:2 Ciric Charmilles Stadium, Geneva 7,500 SUI Kurt Zuppinger (Bremgarten, Aargau) W FCA without Heldmann and Zitola (both long-term injured). Fair game, no cautions. Qualification table main WDL First stage 5 Q NX Xamax 12 8 2 36 20 GCZ Grasshopper Club 10 9 3 42 27 SIO Sion 9 10 3 33 21 AAR Aarau Stephan Beck 2025 https://www.arowa.ch/index.php?page=ligatabelle&saison=97 Schweizer Meisterschaft 1996/97 FCA Rangliste de-ch Swiss Championship 1996/97 FCA Ranking arowa.ch 2025-11-16 9 8 5 21 14 LS Lausanne-Sports 9 7 6 35 32 STG St. Gallen 6 10 6 20 26 ZÜR Zürich (red) dbFCZ 2025 https://www.dbfcz.ch/saison.php?saison_id=10 FCZ Saison 1996/97 de-ch FCZ season 1996/97 dbFCZ 2025-11-16 6 9 7 24 25 BAS Basel Verein "Basler Fussballarchiv" 2025 https://www.fcb-archiv.ch/saison/rangliste?saison=1996/97 FCB Rangliste 1996/97 de-ch FCB Ranking 1996/97 Verein "Basler Fussballarchiv" 2025-11-16 5 11 6 32 32 SER Servette Daniel Reichmuth 2025 https://super-servette.ch/Doku/Resultate_Servette_1996-97.pdf Servette 1996/97 Rangliste Servette 1996/97 ranking super-servette-ch fr 2025-11-16 5 9 8 24 25 LUZ Luzern 4 11 7 27 32 LUG Lugano 2 9 11 14 32 YB Young Boys (red) BSC Young Boys AG 2025 https://www.bscyb.ch/archiv-1996-97#mnc_424 YB Saison 1996/97 YB season 1996/97 BSC Young Boys AG de-ch 2025-11-16 3 3 16 17 39 yes green3 Advance to championship roundhalved points (rounded up) as bonus CP CP CP CP CP CP CP CP red3 Continue to promotion/relegation round RP RP RP RP 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored; 4) Head-to-head points; 5) Away goals scored; 6) Draw. complete rsssf.com Championship group The first eight teams of the qualification phase competed in the Championship round. The teams took half of the points (rounded up to complete units) gained in the qualification as bonus with them. The championship group started on 2 March 1997 and was completed on 4 June. Round 1 2 March 1997 14:30 Grasshopper Club 4–2 FCA summary Aarau Türkyilmaz 13 1:0Yakin 28 2:0Moldovan 34 3:0Subiat 90+1 4:2Vogel Türkyilmaz Yakin 37 3:1 Ciric85 3:2 Ciric Hilfiker Saibene Roembiak Hardturm, Zürich 8,200 SUI Markus Nobs (Wohlen bei Bern) L FCA without Heldmann and Zitola (both long-term injured). Round 2 9 March 1997 14:30 Aarau 2–1 FCB summaryFCA summary Basel Christ 21Ćirić 66 1:0Bader 80Hodel 84 2:1 17 Falub2 44 59 Foda79 1:1 Giallanza87 H. Yakin Stadion Brügglifeld, Aarau 9,700 SUI Dieter Schoch (Attiswil) W FCA without Heldmann and Zitola (injured). FCB without Frick, Orlando and Smajic (all injured). After Sutter's substitution, Henry played on the right of midfield. After Foda's dismissal, Nyarko in defense, Knup in midfield. 71st minute, Studer left the pitch with a torn capsule and ligaments, from then on Hodel was in defense, Brugnoli in midfield. Round 3 23 March 1997 14:30 St. Gallen 0–0 FCA summary Aarau Mouidi Dal Santo Skrzypczak Saibene Christ Espenmoos, St. Gallen 9,000 SUI Andreas Schluchter (Schönenbuch) D FCA without Heldmann and Zitola (both long-term injured). Round 4 26 March 1997 20:00 Aarau 2–0 FCA summary Lausanne-Sport Bader 49 1:0de Napoli 87 2:0Brugnoli Georgiev 0 47 Triki Piffaretti Stadion Brügglifeld, Aarau 3,600 SUI Claude Detruche (Thônex) W FCA without Heldmann and Zitola (both long-term injured). Round 5 6 April 1997 20:00 Zürich 0–0 FCZ summary Aarau Nixon 49 45 Hodel75 Pavlicevic Letzigrund, Zürich 3,000 SUI Kurt Zuppinger (Bremgarten, Aargau) D FCA without Heldmann and Zitola (both long-term injured). Round 6 13 April 1997 14:30 Aarau 1–1 FCA summary Sion de Napoli 23 1:0Roembiak de Napoli 39 1:1 Zambaz Quentin Meyrieu Wicky Stadion Brügglifeld, Aarau 6,200 SUI Serge Muhmenthaler (Grenchen) D FCA without Heldmann and Zitola (both long-term injured). Round 7 19 April 1997 20:00 Xamax 2–1 FCA summary Aarau Leśniak 18 1:0(Roembiak) 40 og. 2:1Gigon 37 1:1 de Napoli Christ Skrzypczak Saibene Stade de la Maladière, Neuchâtel 7,200 SUI Jürg Herrmann (Hinterkapplen (Wohlen bei Bern)) L FCA without Heldmann and Zitola (both long-term injured). Round 8 24 April 1997 20:00 Aarau 2–3 FCA summary Xamax Skrzypczak 15 1:1de Napoli 30 2:1Markovic Skrzypczak 1 0:1 Kunz34 2:2 Kunz78 2:3 Jeanneret Rothenbühler Bonalair Stadion Brügglifeld, Aarau 4,100 SUI Andreas Schluchter (Schönenbuch) L FCA without Heldmann and Zitola (both long-term injured). Round 9 3 May 1997 20:00 Sion 2–3 FCA summary Aarau Meyrieu 36 1:0Lukić 67 penQuentin 2 70Biaggi 63 1:1 Hodel79 pen Roembiak87 2:3 de Napoli Saibene Brugnoli Stade Tourbillon, Sion 13,000 SUI Carlo Bertolini (Vira-Gambarogno) L FCA without Heldmann and Zitola (both long-term injured). Round 10 10 May 1997 20:00 Aarau 1–1 FCZ summary Zürich Pavlicevic 24 1:0 2 21 51 Mazzarelli89 1:1 Tejeda Stadion Brügglifeld, Aarau 4,100 SUI Dominique Tavel (Lonay) D FCA without Heldmann and Zitola (both long-term injured). Round 11 15 May 1997 20:00 Lausanne-Sport 2–0 FCA summary Aarau Ohrel 76 penThurre 86 2:0Thurre Markovic Bader Skrzypczak Olympique de la Pontaise, Lausanne 3,700 SUI Dieter Schoch (Attiswil) L Round 12 24 May 1997 20:00 Aarau 1–2 FCA summary St. Gallen Ciric 55 1:1 37 og (Studer)70 1:2 Vurens Zwyssig Dal Santo Stadion Brügglifeld, Aarau 2,600 SUI Yvan Cornu L Round 13 31 May 1997 20:00 Basel 3–2 FCB summaryFCA summary Aarau Giallanza 49 1:0Knup 54 2:0Knup 60 3:0Ceccaroni 72 77 3:1 Brugnoli90+1 3:2 Kilian St. Jakob Stadium, Basel 6,000 SUI Werner Müller (Obererlinsbach) W FCB without Konde, Schupp (both suspended), Poulard, Salvi, Grüter, Henry, Disseris, and Orlando (all injured). FCA without Heldmann, Kirik, Wiederkehr, and Saibene (all injured). 72nd minute: Viceconte substituted out due to injury. Last NLA match for referee Müller. No official farewell for the FCB players, who are already confirmed to be leaving today. Round 14 4 June 1997 20:00 Aarau 0–1 FCA summary Grasshopper Club 25 0:1 Türkyilmaz Lombardo Magnin Türkyilmaz Stadion Brügglifeld, Aarau 4,300 LIE Roland Beck (Triesenberg) L Final league table main WDL Champions group 5 Q y SIO Sion 9 3 2 18 10 19 NX Xamax 6 6 2 22 14 22 GCZ Grasshopper Club 7 4 3 37 18 20 LS Lausanne-Sports 8 2 4 20 16 17 AAR Aarau 3 4 7 17 22 18 STG St. Gallen 3 4 7 13 26 14 ZÜR Zürich 1 7 6 9 18 14 BAS Basel 3 2 9 16 28 13 green1 Swiss champions, qualified for 1997–98 Champions League EC blue1 qualified for 1997–98 UEFA Cup UC1 blue1 qualified for 1997–98 UEFA Cup UC2 blue3 entered 1997 UEFA Intertoto Cup IT1 blue3 entered 1997 UEFA Intertoto Cup IT2 1) points; 2) Position in the qualification. complete rsssf.com Sion won the league championship and this was their second championship win the club's history. Swiss Cup 1996–97 Swiss Cup The first-tier clubs from the 1994–95 NLA were granted byes for the first two rounds, eight of these teams joined the competition in the third round. The four clubs that were competing in the UEFA European competitions, Grasshopper Club (1996–97 Champions League), Xamax, Aarau (both 1996–97 UEFA Cup) and Sion (1996–97 Cup Winners' Cup) were granted byes for the third round as well and entered the competition in the fourth round. The eight participating first-tier teams were seeded and cound not be drawn against each other. The draw respected regionalities, when possible, and the lower classed team was granted home advantage. Round 4 6 March 1997 Zug 94 1–4 FCA summary Aarau Baumann 81 1:4 24 0:1 Ćirić73 0:2 Ćirić76 0:3 Ćirić78 0:4 Saibene Herti Allmend Stadion, Zug 1,400 SUI Massimo Busacca (Monte Carasso/Bellinzona) W Round 5 29 March 1997 FC Schaffhausen 0–0 yes 3–1 FCA summary Aarau Gerstenmájer Stübi Bossi Meier Marongi Roembiak Pavličević Wiederkehr Kilian Stadion Breite, Schaffhausen 1,693 SUI Erwin Fölmli L Sion won the cup and this was the club's ninth cup title to this date and their third cup win in succession. Because they had secured the league championship just a few days earlier, they had completed the domestic double for the first time in the club's history. UEFA Cup 1996–97 UEFA Cup Qualifying round 1st leg 6 August 1996 20:00 Aarau SUI 4–0 UEFA ReportFCA summary EST Lantana Tallinn Georgiev 21Skrzypczak 55Pavličević 76 86 pen. Stadion Brügglifeld, Aarau 3,500 Mateo Beusan (Croatia) W 2nd leg 20 August 1996 17:00 Lantana Tallinn EST 2–0 2–4 ReportFCA summary SUI Aarau Lebret 82Hepner 88 Kadriorg Stadium, Tallinn 1,500 (250 paying spectators) Jon Skjervold (Norway) L Aarau won 4–2 on aggregate. First round 1st leg 10 September 1996 20:05 Brøndby DEN 5–0 ReportFCA summary SUI Aarau Vilfort 21 pen.Bjur 56 2:0Møller 66 3:0Møller 87 4:0Møller 89 5:0 Brøndby Stadion, Brøndbyvester 8,976 Hugh Dallas (Scotland) L 2nd leg 24 September 1996 20:00 Aarau SUI 0–2 0–7 ReportFCA summary DEN Brøndby 39 Møller90 pen. Daugaard Stadion Brügglifeld, Aarau 2,010 Leslie Irvine (Northern Ireland) L Brøndby won 7–0 on aggregate. German side Schalke 04, who beat Internazionale of Italy on penalties after the two-legged final finished 1–1 on aggregate, became winners of the 26th UEFA Cup competition. Sempione Cup Semi-final 2 July 1996 Aarau 1–0 [ FCA summary] SR Delémont 1:0 Sportplatz Moos, Balsthal W The Sempione Cup was a club tournament played in summer at Sportanlage Moos, Balsthal, during the years 1987 to 2004. Garin Erik 2004 https://www.rsssf.org/tabless/sempione.html#95 Sempione Cup (Switzerland) The Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation 2025-11-16 Final 5 July 1996 St. Gallen 0–1 [ FCA summary] Aarau 78 0:1 Hodel Sportplatz Moos, Balsthal W Aarau won the Sempione Cup for the third time in a row. References Sources Switzerland 1996–97 at RSSSF FCA squad 1996–97 at arowa.ch FC Aarauseasons 1995–96 1997–98 Category:FC Aarau seasons Aarau