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The Bernese Young Boys are still on track in the cup and championship. But now a reaction is required from the Wicky ensemble.
Legend:
Hanging heads among the YB players on Sunday
Joël Monteiro (left), Cheikh Niasse and Darian Males.
Keystone/Peter Schneider
An impressive series came to an end in Wankdorf on Sunday: YB had not lost 34 games at home in the Super League. Against Servette, coach Raphael Wicky’s team had to leave the field as losers for the first time since March 19, 2022. Instead of 10 points ahead of Geneva, YB is now only 4 points ahead of its first pursuer.
YB and the constant background noise
In doing so, “Yellow-Black” itself ensured that tension arose again in the championship race and that there was no calm in the club’s environment. The Young Boys have been accompanied by background noise for months, even though everything is (still) going according to plan.
After 5 championship titles in 6 years, are the expectations in the capital too high? YB has the best offense and the best defense in the Super League. But the league leader doesn’t show enough spectacle, that’s the criticism.
Penalty Zoff and a laughing substitute goalie
Atmospheric disturbances have recently been added. The departure of striker Jean-Pierre Nsame took place with a lot of fanfare. The Cameroonian’s dispute with the club management became public, which doesn’t suit the YB in success mode.
The Bern newspaper is now even causing cracks in the team. Substitute goalie Anthony Racioppi laughed and ate pizza with Servette striker Jérémy Guillemenot in the catacombs after the game. Previously, YB goalie David von Ballmoos had angrily stalked towards the cabin. The episode surrounding Silvere Ganvoula made it clear that YB is no longer an oasis of well-being. Coach Wicky reprimanded the striker for ignoring the penalty hierarchy in Lisbon.
Lots of injuries and important departures
The out in the Europa League against the strong Sporting Lisbon had to be taken into account. But there are definitely signs of a mini-crisis at YB. The fact that there has been a loss of substance in the last few weeks cannot be explained away. On the one hand, YB complained about bad luck with injuries (two top performers, Filip Ugrinic and Loris Benito, are missing), and on the other hand, they let Ulisses Garcia and the aforementioned Nsame go in the winter. Now others like Lukasz Lakomy or Noah Persson have to make use of their potential. And Africa Cup returnees Meschack Elia and Mohamed Camara are getting back up to speed.
Coach Wicky, whose future is still unclear, should give hope to the reaction after the 1:3 against FCZ in November. YB then won the Champions League game against Red Star Belgrade 3-0 at home and thus secured the European winter. If the people of Bern successfully complete the difficult tasks this week, some calm should return. On Thursday the Cup quarter-finals in the Tourbillon against Sion await YB, on Sunday the trip to Letzigrund to FCZ.