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The YB coach is proud of his team after the 2-0 win in the Champions League against Red Star Belgrade.
The Young Boys’ third victory in the Champions League was a particularly important one. Thanks to their success, the Bernese secured third place in the difficult Group G and are now in the round of 16 of the Europa League. Given their opponents Manchester City and RB Leipzig, this was certainly the most realistic goal for YB.
Coach Raphael Wicky was extremely happy after the big victory: “I’m very happy about the qualification, proud of the team, the staff and everyone who keeps helping out.” The Valaisian immediately classified what he had achieved: “It is not a given to win a Champions League match. As the smallest team in the group, it is not a given that they will spend the winter in Europe. We achieved that and we can be proud of that.”
Of course we also had a bit of luck in certain situations.
The Young Boys had to fight hard for victory against Red Star Belgrade. The Serbs had enough chances to take the game into different directions. Wicky knew that it would be difficult. “I told the team before the game: ‘If you want to win big games, you have to be able to suffer together. This is the Champions League, you have to do more.”
The way his players showed solidarity makes him particularly proud. “Of course we had a bit of luck in certain situations, but that’s football. Overall, it’s really nice to see how the team works.”
Blum’s special premiere
Lewin Blum played a big part in the triumph with his goal to make it 2-0. It was his first goal in the Champions League. “It is a very nice moment to score a goal in the Champions League in Wankdorf. It is certainly important for me personally, but above all of course for the team, that we were able to win and that I made a contribution to ensuring that we can spend the winter in Europe.”