2nd expulsion in a row – Sandro Lauper sees red – again – Sport

Sandro Lauper has never been sent off the pitch in 203 professional games. Now he suffered this mishap twice in a row.

The class difference was striking. As was to be feared, YB was inferior in all respects against Manchester City’s starting group. After 90 minutes, the statisticians didn’t record a single shot from Bern. Looking for a “culprit” seems wrong in view of the blatant inferiority, and yet one of the collective, Sandro Lauper, stood out on this Tuesday evening.

In the 23rd minute, the 27-year-old was responsible for the unanswered penalty that put YB on the losing end. In the midfield, the well-known opponents repeatedly showed him his limits in the first half, and he had also seen the yellow card before the penalty.

No change during the break

YB coach Raphael Wicky decided not to replace Lauper during the break. He didn’t stay on the pitch much longer anyway. After a foul on Nathan Aké, he received a second yellow card and was sent to the locker room. Without a warning beforehand, he would not have been able to complain about a direct expulsion.

For Lauper it was a duplicity of events. He had already seen the red card on Saturday in the 4-1 win against Winterthur – after 203 professional games without being sent off (!). On the Schützenwiese, the Young Boys turned up the heat when they were outnumbered. At the Etihad Stadium, the ten-man visitors at least managed to avoid conceding another goal. Heretical voices come to the conclusion that things would be better without Lauper.

Twice hell and back

Despite many critical voices, it would be presumptuous to speak of a low point in one’s career. Konolfinger, who has been wearing the YB jersey since 2018, has had difficult times. After an excellent debut season, he tore a cruciate ligament in spring 2019. Almost a year later, he returned to the (training) field in February 2020 – just a month later he tore his cruciate ligament again.

Lauper also fought back a second time. Under Wicky he re-established himself as the top performer he once was in the second half of the season. His regular place is now in danger of slipping away in both competitions during the upcoming mandatory break. Lauper could only play again in the home game against Servette on December 3rd. Until then it will be clear whether things are really better at YB without Lauper.