Young Boys find themselves a tough opponent with Sporting Lisbon in the round of 32 of the Europa League. However, the Bernese are ready to strike again in a big match.
Thursday at 6:45 p.m., the Portuguese will appear as favorites on the artificial turf at Wankdorf. Crowned champions 19 times, the Lisbonites are currently at the top of their championship tied on points with their city rival Benfica. The team led by coach Ruben Amorim is going through a good period, as evidenced by its last 2 matches: victories 8-0 and 5-0! For Bernese coach Raphael Wicky, it is a team that exudes technique and projects itself very quickly forward.
The Portuguese are fielding a striker who is getting a lot of attention: Viktor Gyökeres. The 25-year-old Swedish center forward arrived in Lisbon last summer from Coventry City in the 2nd division for 21 million euros. The Scandinavian has already met expectations since in 29 matches, he has scored 27 goals and made 11 assists.
Find insurance
Faced with the danger that Gyökeres could represent, Wicky must find confidence within his defense, which did not make the best impression last weekend against Lugano (3-3). With the long-term absence of Loris Benito, injured, and the return of Mohamed Ali Camara from the African Cup, the defense is still looking for itself. “I have complete confidence in all the players who are present,” assures Wicky.
ats/bur