Swiss side Zurich, led by their veteran manager Marcel Koller, is preparing to face Basel for the first time next Saturday, after having played nine derbies as Basel's manager.
The scene is set to change next Saturday, as Koller will lead his team Zurich in their first derby against Basel in over six years.
Koller said during a press conference, in remarks reported by Swiss outlet "nau": "I haven't been immersed in the atmosphere of this matchup for a long time."
He added: "This match is certainly special from the fans' perspective, and Basel has had a good start to the league. We are playing at our home ground, and it is about picking up points for us, so we must do our utmost to win."
Read also.. Taha Ezzat reveals the new season's regulations.. and responds to news of him supporting Al-Zamalek
Koller was asked about his statistics against his current team in classic derby matches when he was managing Basel: "No, I don't know that."
Koller had won seven out of nine derbies, drawn one, and lost one, with his team scoring 25 goals and conceding 5, and achieving clean-sheet victories by four goals in three matches.
Koller concluded: "I had hoped the statistics would look like this. They are good statistics, but we are still at the beginning. Basel has relative stability, and yet I believe we have a chance that we will try to exploit."
Koller was asked if he feels more relaxed today compared to his experience managing the club Al-Ahli : "I felt different pressures at the time with Basel, but now I have experienced managing Al-Ahli, where the pressures were much greater. You must win every match, otherwise you face the fans' attacks against you in the streets."
Koller concluded his remarks after a successful managerial career with Al-Ahli: "I have been able to gain experience since then, which is important. I also believe I have become calmer and more balanced."
