Hearts FC

2022 - 8 - 18

Post cover — Image courtesy of "Scottish Daily Record"

Zurich vs Hearts - LIVE updates (Scottish Daily Record)

Robbie Neilson's side are in St. Gallen to take on last season's Swiss champions FC Zurich in the first leg of their Europa League playoff showdown. A place in ...

So we've not done that, we are still in the game and we've got a chance. They have Barrie McKay and Alan Forrest supporting them down the flanks too. Robbie Neilson's side took a first-half lead against the Swiss champions as Lawrence Shankland 's penalty sparked potential for a glorious night on the continent. Gallen to take on last season's Swiss champions FC Zurich in the first leg of their [Europa League](https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/all-about/europa-league) playoff showdown. We have given ourselves a chance. Zurich look a threat as they attempt to put the tie to bed. He gets a free kick out of it but there's no punishment for the Hearts midfielder. Hearts ease some pressure by winning a free kick in the Zurich half. That front two pairing for Hearts almost link up in a dangerous area but there's a miscommunication and the Zurich defence survive. The hosts have a free kick in a dangerous position. Toby Sibbick is given a yellow card for a foul at the edge of the box. A five minutes to forget followed as Adria Guerrero and Blerim Dzemaili scored to put the hosts in the driving seat.

Hearts team news vs FC Zurich as Stephen Kingsley gets nod to start (Football Scotland)

The Jambos are in Switzerland tonight for the first leg of their Europa League play-off.

[Robbie Neilson](https://www.footballscotland.co.uk/all-about/robbie-neilson) had the luxury of a full strength squad to choose from. [here](https://www.footballscotland.co.uk/newsletter-preference-centre/) to take yourself to our Newsletter Preference Centre. [Stephen Kingsley](https://www.footballscotland.co.uk/all-about/stephen-kingsley) made his return from a hamstring injury with a 14-minute cameo and the question will have been was that enough preparation to be thrown into a tie of this magnitude? [Europa League](https://www.footballscotland.co.uk/all-about/uefa-europa-league) over the Conference League and so a respectable scoreline over in Switzerland for the first leg of the play-off is required. From the cinch Premiership and League 2, to the Champions League and the Europa Conference League, we have every blade of grass covered. [Hearts](https://www.footballscotland.co.uk/all-about/hearts-fc) make their return to Europe after a six-year absence tonight.

Hearts player ratings vs FC Zurich as Swiss champions take slender ... (Edinburgh Live)

Robbie Neilson's men are well in their Europa League play-off clash with dreams of reaching the group stages alive and kicking.

On at the break after a tough 45 for Atkinson. A couple of moments of magic with the home side doubling up on the tricky, speedy winger. Experienced defender brought on to bring a calm and composed head to proceedings. Huge save in the final minute to deny Zurich on the counter. Opened the scoring for the Jambos with a brilliant low penalty. Played on right of the three. Replaced at the break. Key defender forced off after just seven minutes in a major blow to the Jambos. Composed figure at the back. However, Swiss champions FC Zurich hit back with two goals in quick-fire fashion to turn the game on its head. Moments later, more poor defending allowed Blerim Dzemaili to blast high into the net to give the hosts a slender advantage ahead of next week. [Lawrence Shankland](https://www.edinburghlive.co.uk/all-about/lawrence-shankland) fired the Jambos ahead in the perfect start from the penalty spot after Nathaniel Atkinson was fouled in the box following a nice passage of play.

Hearts lose 2-1 to FC Zurich in Europa League play-off first leg (STV News)

The Edinburgh side lost 2-1 but remain in the tie ahead of the return leg at Tynecastle.

Hearts had barely had time to digest that blow when they found themselves behind. Nathaniel Atkinson made a move into the Zurich box and Selnaes caught the Hearts player’s ankle with his studs. Craig Halkett appeared to pull a muscle when stretching for the ball and was replaced by Toby Sibbick.

Hearts continue Scottish football's travelling woes as they lose 2-1 to ... (Daily Mail)

FC Zurich 2-1 Hearts: Scottish football's travelling woes continue as Hearts join Rangers, Dundee United and Motherwell in losing abroad despite Lawrence ...

Atkinson was at fault for the equaliser in the 32nd minute. The manner of the strikes was particularly galling for Neilson. Hearts then made their mark when they went ahead in the 22nd minute from the penalty spot. Shankland kept his cool from 12 yards, driving a low effort into the bottom left-hand corner despite Yanick Brecher guessing the right way. As the teams sized each other up, there was little flow to the match. Out went forwards Alan Forrest and Liam Boyce despite the pair having been key figures in the team’s good start to domestic action.

FC Zurich 2-1 Hearts in pictures: Europa League first leg action from ... (Edinburgh News)

The story of the match in pictures as Hearts keep their Europa League group stage hopes alive with a 2-1 first leg defeat by Swiss champions FC Zurich in ...