Zan Celar, of all people, ensured that YB failed in the main test for the round of 16 in the Europa League against Sporting Lisbon next Thursday. The Ticino team’s Slovenian top scorer had never scored against YB in the league before – he had already been successful against every other team in the Super League.
And on Saturday too it seemed as if there was a curse on Celar. His 3-3 in the 74th minute was overturned by referee Nico Gianforte after VAR intervention – Filip Ugrinic had previously been fouled on the other side of the field. Lugano coach Mattia Croci-Torti was fuming.
Itten awards the “Lucky Punch”
But the postponement was not lifted: In the 80th minute, Celar scored his goal – with a penalty. Cedric Itten touched a Lugano free kick with his elbow. The VAR intervened here too.
Itten would then have had the chance to make amends for his mishap. But the YB attacker only hit the post in the 87th minute, and Joel Mvuka then also missed.
Mvuka as a prevented match winner
It was winter newcomer Mvuka who put YB on course for victory twice in the second half. Coming on for Ebrima Colley at the break, the Norwegian only needed 7 minutes to score his first Super League goal in the third game (52nd).
And after former YB junior Kreshnik Hajrizi equalized again (56th), it was Mvuka who made his way down the left side and laid it back for Ugrinic in an exemplary manner. After a good hour he scored the third lead for the guests.
Bislimi with flattering compensation
It was Ugrinic who was at the origin of the first YB leadership. After 8 minutes he first claimed the ball strongly, then launched Colley, who scored early to make it 1-0. After that, the Bernese had the action largely under control, but had to accept the extremely flattering equalizer from Uran Bislimi shortly before the break.
It was a foretaste of what was to come in rainy Lugano. Lugano would come back two more times, which ultimately ended in a spectacular 3-3 exchange of blows.
This is how it continues
YB will be back in action on Thursday when the Bernese host Sporting Lisbon in the round of 16 of the Europa League. The league continues for the leader on Sunday at 2:15 p.m. with a home game against Stade-Lausanne-Ouchy. Lugano plays host to Servette on the same day (4:30 p.m.).