Four goals in seven games
©IMAGO
Lars Villiger from FC Luzern is showing off his skills in the Super League and is considered one of the greatest Swiss attacking talents. The 21-year-old has also attracted attention this season as he has developed into a key player in his team. At Transfermarkt.de, Villiger talks about his career path, his goals and how football shapes his life.
In the first seven match days of the Super League, Villiger scored four goals and assisted two more – just two goals less than in the entire previous season, when he played 34 times for Lucerne. “For me, there is no secret recipe, but rather it is a combination of hard work, focus and continuous development. I want to improve in every training session and game and pay attention to the details. Discipline and the right mental attitude are crucial. But the most important thing is to enjoy the game,” says the 1.90 meter tall striker.
Different nutrition and mental training: Villiger gives everything for success
During the summer break, he changed his eating habits and did additional strength training to become more robust. The Swiss U21 national player also takes mental training to cope with the pressure of professional football. “I’m now very busy with mental training, but I have no problems finding inner satisfaction. I try to live in the moment and enjoy success. Long-term goals and ambition are important, but it’s also crucial to appreciate the moment,” he explains.
The hard work seems to have paid off given the good start to the season. Last season there was a phase in which he only made short appearances or even sat on the bench for 90 minutes. “That was important for my development. I learned a lot about myself and my mental strength. Setbacks are part of the game and you have to believe in yourself in those moments. The most important thing to learn was that you have to be patient and take advantage of opportunities when they come,” said Villiger.
Golden generation: Villiger one of four players born in 2003
Villiger is one of the players who belong to FC Luzern’s golden generation of talent. Alongside him, three other home-grown players, goalkeeper Pascal Loretz (21) and defenders Luca Jaquez (21) and Severin Ottiger (21), are regularly in the starting lineup. All four were born in 2003 and have been playing together for several years. Villiger has been wearing the Luzern jersey since the U16s and made the jump to the pros in 2023.
Before he moved to the Swiss first division club, he played for smaller clubs and came to attention. “This time without a lot of pressure helped me to develop. The move to FC Luzern and the transition to the first team were important steps. There I developed further in a professional environment.”
Under coach Mario Frick, Villiger made rapid progress. “I trained with the team for a short time, then I signed my first professional contract and one day later I was able to make my debut in the Super League,” he recalls. His experienced teammate Pascal Schürpf (35) played a special role. “Before my first goal, he told me that I would score today and in the end I really did. One important piece of advice he gave me was to stay patient and never lose faith in your own abilities. He also told me that as a young player you always have to keep learning and focus on the next steps. I still follow these tips today, especially when things get difficult.”
Villiger is a thoroughbred striker: “Always had a certain feeling for the game”
Villiger describes himself as a “thoroughbred striker” whose strengths include heading the ball. “Some skills, such as anticipation, are partly innate. I’ve always had a certain feeling for the game. But it also takes a lot of work. I worked intensively on my technique and style of play in training,” he explains, but also notes: “It’s important to keep your own intuition when you learn certain patterns in academies. You should stay open and not fall too much into set routines.”
In addition to the classic sporting components, he impresses with the attributes that inspire fans: fighting spirit, willingness to run and determination. “For me, mentality means always giving everything, never giving up and staying motivated in difficult times. A player with mentality doesn’t need external motivation because the inner motivation is strong enough. It’s important to step out of your comfort zone and consciously seek out changes and new challenges.”
Villiger has now established himself in the Swiss U21 national team, where he has scored two goals and provided two assists in eight matches. In the Super League’s top scorer list, he is one goal behind Thierno Barry (21) of FC Basel. The last Swiss top scorer was Albian Ajeti (27) in the 2017/18 season with 17 goals. “My main goal is to help the team to be successful and to deliver consistent performance. If I score a lot of goals, that’s even better,” explains Villiger, who is second in the table with Lucerne and is level on points with FC Zurich.
Villiger has come to the attention of Europe’s top clubs due to his performances. But his focus is currently on Lucerne. “The hype is something that I notice, but I’m relaxed about it. Of course, such expectations create additional pressure, but I don’t let them drive me crazy. I’m concentrating on my development and on delivering on the pitch.”
Interview by Henrik Stadnischenko
