Winterthur Faces Uphill Battle in Bern Amid Injury Concerns and Search for Consistency
Published: February 13, 2026 at 9:06 p.m. | Updated: February 13, 2026 at 10:33 p.m.
Winterthur will travel to Bern this Saturday to face Young Boys following a demoralizing 3-0 defeat against FC Zurich during the week. The team, currently languishing near the bottom of the Super League table, faces a significant challenge to rebound against a formidable opponent, with key players battling injuries and questions surrounding team consistency.
Durrer’s Race Against Time
The defeat against FCZ came at a cost, with central defender Adrian Durrer sustaining a laceration during a collision. The injury is particularly concerning given Durrer’s emergence as a regular starter this season. According to coach Patrick Framework, the defender’s availability for Saturday’s match hinges on his vision. “If his field of vision is good, he is fit to play against YB,” Framework stated, acknowledging a tight timeframe for recovery. Should Durrer be unable to feature, Framework will be forced to choose between Mirlind Kryeziu, who has been without a club for eight months, and the currently out-of-form Lukas Mühl.
Burkart’s Potential Return Offers a Spark
A glimmer of hope for Winterthur lies in the possible return of attacker Nishan Burkart. The agile forward has been plagued by minor injuries throughout the season, limiting him to just nine appearances and 329 minutes in the Super League. However, Framework announced that Burkart “trained with the team all week,” raising the possibility of his inclusion in the squad. The question remains whether Burkart can stay fit, having already experienced two setbacks this season after brief returns to the pitch. The team will be hoping the “sprint rocket” can provide a much-needed boost in the final stretch of the season.
Reflecting on Wednesday’s Disappointment
Framework was critical of his team’s performance in the 3-0 loss to FCZ, stating, “We invited the FCZ to score the two goals. That was just way too easy. In our situation that is very, very disappointing.” He noted the contrast with recent defensive performances against Lausanne and Lugano, where Winterthur conceded only one goal in each match. “We had imagined it differently,” Framework admitted, adding that he intends to build the defense for the Bern game on the foundations of those two positive home results.
Projected Lineup and Absences
The anticipated starting eleven for Winterthur is: Kapino; Citherlet, Arnold, Durrer; Sidler, Kasami, Jankewitz, Smith, Schneider, Buess, Hunziker.
A significant number of players are unavailable due to injury and suspension, including Cueni (suspended), and Lüthi, Momoh, Rohner, Stillhart, Ulrich, and Zuffi (all injured).
Statistical Insights: Unpredictability Despite Offensive Struggles
Despite possessing the league’s weakest offense with just 27 goals scored, Winterthur is statistically the most unpredictable team in the Super League, sharing that distinction with league-leading Thun. The team boasts 15 different goalscorers, the same number as Thun. However, within the current squad, only Hunziker (8 goals), Golliard (3 goals), and Maluvunu (3 goals) have scored multiple times this season. .
Jankewitz: A Familiar Face with a Point to Prove
Alexander Jankewitz will be a player to watch. The Geneva native, who previously played for YB from 2021 to 2024, brings physicality and presence to the center of the pitch for FCW. His performance often correlates with the team’s success, and he scored his first Super League goal against Lausanne. He may add his name to the list of multiple goalscorers on Saturday.
League Standings (Round 25)
| Rank | Team | Played | Wins | Losses | Goals For | Goals Against | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | FC Thun | 24 | 28 | 5 | 55 | 28 | 85 |
| 2 | FC St. Gallen | 23 | 15 | 4 | 42 | 23 | 42 |
| 3 | FC Lugano | 24 | 11 | 4 | 42 | 39 | 37 |
| 4 | FC Basel | 24 | 7 | 3 | 39 | 24 | 33 |
| 5 | FC Sion | 24 | 8 | 3 | 37 | 24 | 27 |
| 6 | BSC Young Boys | 24 | -3 | 3 | 33 | 7 | 27 |
| 7 | FC Lausanne-Sport | 24 | -2 | 2 | 29 | 8 | 26 |
| 8 | FC Zurich | 24 | -9 | 2 | 28 | 9 | 24 |
| 9 | FC Lucerne | 24 | -2 | 2 | 27 | 10 | 24 |
| 10 | Servette FC | 24 | -7 | 2 | 26 | 15 | 23 |
| 11 | Grasshopper Club Zurich | 24 | -12 | 2 | 20 | 18 | 20 |
| 12 | FC Winterthur | 23 | -3 | 4 | 14 | 34 | 14 |
The upcoming schedule includes: Saturday, St. Gallen – GC (6 p.m.), FCZ – Lucerne (6 p.m.), YB – Winterthur (8:30 p.m.); Sunday, Thun – Sion (2 p.m.), Basel – Lugano (4:30 p.m.); and Monday, Lausanne – Servette (4:30 p.m.).
