In the 87th minute, the kybunpark festival hut fell silent. It was like someone had pulled the plug. Joel Mvuka had just made it 2-2 for YB after Ebrima Colley’s preparatory work, thus abruptly stopping the roaring FCSG party.
As has happened so often this season, conceding late goals proved fatal for the St. Gallen team. They were still leading 2-0 until the 71st minute, before Silvère Ganvoula gave the Bernese hope back with his header (79′). It was a goal without an announcement, YB had posed little danger in front of the St. Gallen box, especially in the second half.
FCSG with a lot of passion
From the start it was the home team that invested more in the game. Christian Witzig fired a first warning shot for the leader when he shot past the right post in the 4th minute. A little later, the St. Gallen supporters were able to celebrate: After a corner kick variant via Jordi Quintilla, the ball found its way to Mihailo Stevanovic in the penalty area, who with a bit of luck put the ball in the goal.
Although YB got into the game a little better in a first half that was characterized by a lot of niggles, the guests were rarely compelling. Meschack Elia missed the best opportunity. The YB striker let Abdoulaye Diaby out in the 23rd minute and only hit the post with his impressive outside-foot shot.
Görtler and Geubbels bring momentum
After the break, it was St. Gallen who took control of the game again. At the latest after Lukas Görtler and Willem Geubbels were substituted after almost an hour, the YB penalty area was ablaze a few times. The latter failed in the 63rd minute due to David von Ballmoos’s brilliant reaction, who decisively used his right foot from very close range.
In the middle of this pressure phase, Peter Zeidler’s team won 2-0. After a wonderful combination via Geubbels and Mattia Zanotti, Görtler finished freely on the edge of the penalty area and didn’t have to be asked twice.
Because YB then impressed with its efficiency and coldly punished two St. Gallen inattentiveness in defense, the hosts were again not enough to win – this is exactly what the Eastern Swiss have been waiting for for 6 games. They also failed to create a difference in the line fight against Lucerne, who only played 0-0 against Lausanne-Sport on Sunday afternoon.
YB was only able to make limited use of the mistake made by pursuer Servette (0-1 against Zurich), but has a lead of 5 points over Geneva at the top of the table. Lugano follows in third place, another point behind.
This is how it continues
St. Gallen welcomes Yverdon next Saturday, YB meets FC Luzern in Wankdorf the next day.