Thanks to goals from Itten and Virginius, YB won 2-1 against Lugano and thus their third home win in a row in the Super League. The final point was not for the faint of heart: Vladi Lugano missed a handball penalty in the 95th minute.
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The list of those who attended is long. On the one hand, there are many injuries, especially in the defensive department, that Joël Magnin cannot fall back on. And there are two, Filip Ugrinic and Joël Monteiro, who are serving a ban. But the coach emphasizes the following: “For me, it’s a question of which players I can use. You deserve our full trust.”
Two weeks after the 2-0 victory in Ticino, Lugano is again the opponent of the Young Boys, who start with commitment and take the lead. Mattia Bottani can only stop Jaouen Hadjam, who broke through the penalty area, against the rules – penalty. Cedric Itten takes responsibility and dupes the goalkeeper Amir Saipi. This is the striker’s third goal in the current Super League season.
YB is good in the game, hardly conceding anything to the ambitious opponent, but he has to accept the equalizer from nowhere. Horisberger also rates Anel Husic’s push in the penalty area against Mattia Zanotti as a penalty. Anto Grgic doesn’t give David von Ballmoos a chance to defend.
The hosts have good chances before the break through Alan Virginius (38th) and Meschack Elia (39th). However, they are still not awarded with the 2:1. Virginius misses the target, Elia gets stuck on Saipi.
Joël Magnin is forced to make a change during the break. Cheikh Niasse, who suffered an early head injury in an aerial drill with Albian Hajdari (6th), cannot continue. Kastriot Imeri comes in for him and is supposed to provide offensive accents in right midfield. Darian Males moves to center instead.
YB tries to make it 2-1 and has a chance. Virginius has a good chance after a cross from Zachary Athekame (56′), as do the Males – he fails to reach Saipi (60′) after preparatory work by Virginius and Itten. In one statistic, the Bernese are clearly in the lead: the corner ratio is 7:0.
In front of 27,972 spectators, YB tries hard. And after 76 minutes the team rewarded themselves. Kastriot Imeri sends Alan Virginius with a great pass from his own half of the field. The Frenchman prevails against Lukas Mai and keeps an overview in front of Saipi. With a well-timed shot he makes it 2-1.
The locals have a chance to increase the score to 3-1 through Silvere Ganvoula (84′). But then they experience a final stage that costs many nerves. After 88 minutes, Ticino’s Mohamed Belhadj Mahmoud was shown a yellow-red card. In the 92nd minute, the VAR intervened and the referee Horisberger looked at the scene where Lewin Blum made a hand. Punishment, again. When Shkelqim arrives at Vladi, the 95th minute is already underway. But the former YB junior loses the 2-2: He puts the shot over the goal.
That’s why it’s still a deserved 2-1 for Magnin’s team in this tight encounter. After the 2:1 against Lucerne and the 3:2 against Basel, this is the third home victory in a row. “This success is very good for us because we had to fight against some resistance,” says goalkeeper David von Ballmoos, “we have rewarded ourselves for our hard work.” And Darian Males says: “We were lucky. But we deserve it. You could see that there was a team on the field that wanted to win.”
YB continues on November 23 with the game in Lucerne (6:00 pm). Three days later, Atalanta Bergamo visits the Wankdorf Stadium in the UEFA Champions League (9:00 pm).
Virginius Saipi won 2-1. (Photo: Thomas Hodel)
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Interview: Time.news Editor with Football Expert Dr. Clara Müller
Editor: Welcome, Dr. Müller! It’s great to have you with us today. We’ve just seen an exhilarating match where Young Boys (YB) secured a narrow 2-1 victory over Lugano. What are your main takeaways from this game?
Dr. Müller: Thank you for having me! This match was a rollercoaster for both teams, but YB showcased their resilience and attacking prowess. Despite some challenges, particularly in defense due to injuries and suspensions, they managed to pull through. The way they created chances and maintained pressure throughout the game was impressive.
Editor: Absolutely! It was particularly striking how the match unfolded after the early penalty. How do you assess Cedric Itten’s performance as he took responsibility for that penalty?
Dr. Müller: Itten’s calmness under pressure was key. Scoring the penalty not only gave YB an important lead but also demonstrated his confidence as a striker. This is his third goal of the season, and it’s critical for YB to have players stepping up in crucial moments. His performance today was a clear indication of his significance to the team.
Editor: The equalizer from Lugano seemed to come out of nowhere and might have rattled YB’s momentum. What do you think went wrong for them defensively during that moment?
Dr. Müller: That equalizer was indeed a shock. It highlighted a lapse in concentration from YB’s defense. Horisberger’s decision to award the penalty for the push on Zanotti could have been avoided with better positioning and awareness. Such lapses can cost teams dearly, especially against ambitious opponents who seize opportunities.
Editor: The second half saw YB dominating possession and creating several chances. What do you think was the turning point for them in regaining control of the match?
Dr. Müller: The tactical change at halftime was crucial. Bringing in Kastriot Imeri added fresh legs and attacking dynamism, allowing Virginius to thrive. The assist for the second goal was a testament to their teamwork and Imeri’s ability to read the game. Moreover, when you have a corner ratio of 7:0, it’s evident they were creating threats consistently.
Editor: And what about that final stretch of the game? YB could have scored more, but they also faced a tense ending. How important is psychological resilience in such high-pressure moments?
Dr. Müller: Very often, matches are not only about physical skill but also mental strength. YB had to navigate the nerves as Lugano pressed for a late equalizer. Maintaining composure during such unsettling moments is essential. That missed penalty by Lugano in the 95th minute was a testament to the pressure that both teams faced, and YB’s ability to hold onto the lead despite the chaos speaks volumes about their mindset.
Editor: with this victory, YB achieves their third consecutive home win. How do you see their trajectory in the Super League moving forward?
Dr. Müller: If they can manage their injuries and maintain this level of performance, they have a good chance of competing for the top spots in the league. Their ability to win despite challenges indicates a strong squad mentality. However, consistency will be key as the season progresses, especially against teams that capitalize on every mistake.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Müller, for sharing your insights! It’s always a pleasure to delve into the intricacies of football with you.
Dr. Müller: Thank you for having me! I look forward to discussing more matches in the future.