In the first leg of the Champions League playoff, YB led against Galatasaray 2-0 at halftime thanks to Joël Monteiro. After the break, Michy Batshuayi equalized. However, the evening ended on a high note: Filip Ugrinic converted a late hand penalty to make it 3-2.
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There is an electric atmosphere in Wankdorf. A match is approaching that YB coach Patrick Rahmen describes as a “great challenge” – “against the strongest opponent we could have drawn.”
Galatasaray is the guest, a team filled with strong individualists and prominent names. As soon as the game begins, it gets even louder. YB forces the opponent into a ball loss, and then it happens quickly. Filip Ugrinic takes control of the ball, launches Joël Monteiro, who beats goalkeeper Fernando Muslera. 1-0 after three minutes – the start couldn’t be more ideal.
The Bernese, with the duo Mohamed Ali Camara/Tanguy Zoukrou in central defense, present themselves as Rahmen had imagined: tenacious in duels, eager to run, and disciplined in defense. And the team manages to keep the danger away from their own penalty area.
After just over half an hour, Rahmen is forced to make a substitution. David von Ballmoos cannot continue, as the goalkeeper suffered a shoulder injury early in the match in a duel with Mauro Icardi. Marvin Keller takes over his position and immediately makes a good action.
YB continues to allow nothing and has a chance to increase the lead to 2-0. Monteiro, yes him again, has a shot from a favorable position in the 37th minute. This time the ball flies past the left post. Four minutes later, Silvere Ganvoula narrowly misses the target after a cross from Lewin Blum.
Just before halftime, the Turks get their best chance so far. Goalkeeper Keller prevents the equalizer after a header from Lucas Torreira. But that is by no means the closing line. In the fourth minute of stoppage time, Monteiro brings the Wankdorf to a roar. After a goal kick from Keller, Ganvoula heads the ball on, Monteiro takes over and finishes this straightforward attack deep in stoppage time with 2-0. The lead is well-deserved for an impressive performance.
YB continues undeterred in the second half. And after 57 minutes, it almost falls to 3-0. Ebrima Colley sprints away from the Galatasaray defense, but only hits the post. Günay Güvenc, who replaced goalkeeper Fernando Muslera after the break, would have been helpless.
Instead, Galatasaray suddenly comes to a consolation goal. Michy Batshuayi is substituted in the 67th minute, and seconds later, the Belgian striker scores with his first touch after a corner to make it 1-2. Just six minutes later, Batshuayi is in the spotlight again. With a shot from the edge of the penalty area, he equalizes.
Patrick Rahmen responds with a triple substitution. Meschack Elia, Cedric Itten, and Darian Males are to replace Cheikh Niasse, Silvere Ganvoula, and Joël Monteiro to inject fresh energy into the final phase.
The match remains intense, attractive – and turbulent. In the 82nd minute, the ball strikes Abdülkerim Bardakci’s hand after a shot from Darian Males. The VAR intervenes, and referee Daniel Siebert decides on a penalty after consulting the images, which is executed in the 86th minute. And what a penalty it is! The nerves of steel Filip Ugrinic crowns his great performance with the celebrated 3-2, which is synonymous with victory.
The match-winning scorer says afterward: “It’s too bad that we squandered a two-goal lead. But we fought hard to regain the victory. We should be satisfied.”
YB continues next Tuesday with the return match against Galatasaray. Kick-off in Istanbul is at 21:00 CET (22:00 local time).
Two-goal scorer Joël Monteiro gave YB an early lead. (Photo: Thomas Hodel)
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