BELLINZONA, Switzerland (Interstat) — Bellinzona and Aarau opened their Challenge League seasons with a 0-0 draw on Saturday at Stadio Comunale.

The match failed to live up to offensive projections, as Interstat’s pregame simulator had forecast a 1-1 result. Its ELO system also heavily favored Aarau with a 74.5% win probability. Instead, defensive discipline and wayward finishing dominated a contest that produced no goals but ample cautions.

The officials issued eight yellow cards, with Bellinzona defender Mahir Rizvanovic receiving the first in the 28th minute. Aarau’s Serge Müller was booked in the 36th. The second half saw six more players cautioned in a physical, stop-start affair.

The result leaves both clubs with identical early records of 0 wins, 0 losses and 1 draw in league play, mirroring their overall season marks.