Champions League: Bologna-Monaco, a “Swiss derby”

This is certainly not the flashiest of posters offered by this 4^e round of the Champions League. But for those who follow European Football with a Swiss perspective, this Tuesday evening’s Bologna-Monaco was circled in red since the draw. Six Swiss internationals, three in each camp, could potentially have found themselves on the pitch at the Renato Dall’Ara stadium. They should only be half of this contingent.

“Given their recent performances, I think that Remo Freuler and Dan Ndoye will be aligned with Bologna,” predicts Pierluigi Tami, delegate to the national teams, without taking too many risks. Remo Freuler, Granit Xhaka’s usual partner in the selection, is also a pillar of the Emilian midfield. When Lorenzo De Silvestri is not on the field, it is he who takes on the status of captain, starting on all trips, a sure bet.

Ndoye in the game?

As for Vaudois striker Dan Ndoye, even if he is sometimes hampered by muscular problems, he seems to be on the right track in the eyes of his coach, Vincenzo Italiano. Still a holder in the Champions League, the ex-Lausanne player scored his second goal of the season in Serie A last week in Cagliari. If he could unlock his score on the international scene, Bologna would not complain. With only one point collected in three outings and a 29^e provisional rank in the League-championship ranking (out of 36), the Italians urgently need a victory.

Friborg midfielder Michel Aebischer, who had adductor surgery eight days ago, will logically not be able to help them. He should also not appear on the list that Murat Yakin, Swiss coach, will communicate this Thursday in view of the meetings on Friday November 15 against Serbia, then on Monday 18 in Spain. “Between coming back from injury and getting back into rhythm, there is always a margin,” recalls Pierluigi Tami. For these two decisive dates (editor’s note: Switzerland is in danger of relegation in group B)with high intensity encounters we will need 100% elements. And we obviously won’t take any risks with the health of the players.”

Denis Zakaria forfeits

Translation: Michel Aebischer probably won’t be there and Denis Zakaria probably won’t either. The midfielder and captain of AS Monaco had a resounding first part of the season, playing a driving and tuning role. His team was also undefeated before groin pain sidelined them from the last two matches. Result: two defeats for the Monegasques, who will still be orphans of him in Bologna. “We know that things have been a bit tough for Denis lately, Murat (editor’s note: Yakin, the coach) plans to visit him soon,” explains Pierluigi Tami, involved in the management of the minds and organizations of internationals.

Goalkeeper Philipp Köhn, who is not a first choice under the flags, returned his place between the Monaco posts to Pole Miroslaw Radecki, who returned from injury. He will not be on the pitch in Bologna either. The third Swiss present at kick-off should be Breel Embolo. “I hope to see him start, yes, because after experiencing a little slump, he is coming back in good shape,” rejoices Pierluigi Tami.

The former Basel and Mönchengladbach striker, not always a starter and for a long time lacking success within a team that was on fire, has just made something click. A goal, his first of the club season, on October 22 against Red Star; then another five days later against Nice. Why not do it again, this Tuesday on the big stage, at the risk of annoying compatriots opposite?

The delegate to the national teams will follow this closely, but on TV, like all meetings which involve members of the selection. But no one from the Swiss Football Association will be present in Bologna. “No, it’s not ideal to visit the players on match days,” explains Pierluigi Tami. Murat, Giorgio (editor’s note: Contini, assistant coach) and I, we rather travel during other periods and with players who are less well, who lack playing time. In the present case, in Bologna and Monaco, we are mainly talking about starting players when They are not injured.”

A strange outing for Ruben Amorim

In any case, it was going to be quite an event in his young coaching career. Hosting Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City in the Champions League, for Ruben Amorim (39), highly successful coach of Sporting Portugal, was no small thing. Since Friday’s announcement, Tuesday’s shock has transformed into a rushed and forced farewell meeting with the public at the José-Alvalade stadium. From next Monday, the day after a final championship match on the Lisbon bench in Braga, Ruben Amorim will officially be coach of Manchester United.

This choice which will “completely change [sa] life”, the ex-braga coach explained that he had done it in his soul and conscience. But it looks bad in the eyes of some. Even if the Lisbon native explained that he had refused many offers before this one, even if he assured that he would have left at the end of the season anyway, his departure is causing a stir. Around the club, where some supporters quickly summoned Judas, as well as in the locker room, where players feel betrayed.

The Swede Viktor Gyökeres, the Dane Morten Hjulmand and the Portuguese Pedro Gonçalves snubbed other sirens this summer in the name of the common project. The impromptu departure of the coach does not delight them, especially as it precedes that of sporting director Hugo Viana, announced at Manchester City next summer.

Funny context for a Sporting-City, between two teams who are off to a good start in this Champions League (3 matches/7 points). Ruben Amorim, who led Sporting to national titles in 2021 and 2024, was on his way to making it three (10 wins in as many outings). He chose another path by succeeding the Dutchman Erik ten Hag on the bench of the Red Devils – contract until June 2027. Before that, he still has two strange matches to experience at the head of a Sporting to which he turns his back .

Simon Meier began his career as a sports journalist in 2000 at the newspaper Le Temps before becoming head of the section. In 2013, he joined the sports editorial staff of Le Matin and Le Matin Dimanche then joined that of Sport-Center for the various titles of Tamedia and 20 minutes.More info

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