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The Youngs Boys are on the verge of elimination in the Europa League. There is still belief in progressing against Sporting Lisbon.
YB needs a win with a two-goal difference in order to at least reach extra time in the playoff second leg against Sporting Lisbon. If the undertaking weren’t already difficult enough, the Bernese will be competing in a stadium that is (almost) impregnable this season.
Sporting have played 17 games at the Estadio Jose Alvalade XXI so far this season, and the team won 16 of them – with a score of 58:10 goals. Sporting only lost once in the Europa League. The only conqueror at home this season was Atalanta Bergamo. The Lombards won 2-1 at the beginning of October and secured first place in the group.
YB coach Raphael Wicky is aware of the difficult starting position and “we don’t even have to talk about a 3-0 or 4-1 win”. First and foremost, it’s about winning. “To achieve this, we have to be better in many aspects than in the first leg. After that we’ll take a look.”
In the 3-1 defeat in Wankdorf, the Valaisan was particularly concerned about the goals conceded. “They were very easy goals and if you want to win at this level, that shouldn’t happen.” In order to beat a top team like Sporting, you have to deliver a “perfect match”. But he is convinced that his men will be able to do this in the Portuguese capital.
Dernière for Captain Lustenberger?
Captain Fabian Lustenberger, who will replace the suspended Mohamed Ali Camara in central defense, brings up the mental aspect. You could already tell in the first leg that Sporting was coming into the game with the self-image of a team in top form. «We shouldn’t go into the game with fear or awe, but rather with full self-confidence. We have to have faith that we can get something here.”
It is certainly in Lustenberger’s self-interest to add another chapter to the European adventure. His 23rd appearance in the Europa League could be his last in this competition if the Young Boys do not manage to eliminate a favored team like they did in 2021 – like Bayer Leverkusen (4:3, 2:0). His contract with Young Boys expires in the summer, and the player made it clear before the season that this season could be his last as a professional.