A very demanding task awaits FCB in the round of 16 of the Swiss Cup. It was FCB who, around seven and a half years ago, somewhat demystified the Valais’ cup myth by inflicting their first defeat in a cup final. But this was one of the few successes that FCB celebrated against FC Sion, who can easily be described as cup specialists. Only around four years earlier, Rotblau had celebrated its first win against Sion in this competition. On the way to their last title, FCB followed up with their third cup win against this opponent in 2019. These three wins are offset by five defeats.
Now Fabio Celestini has emphasized several times that he doesn’t care much about series or records against individual opponents. Rather, they are there to be broken or improved. However, the cup is very important for the FCB coach. He can definitely be described as a specialist for this competition. He won the Sandoz Trophy twice as a player with FC Lausanne-Sport (1998 and 1998) and once as a coach with FC Luzern (2021). He was also a finalist as a player with Lausanne-Sport (2000) and twice in the Copa del Rey with Getafe CF. And he was discovered by Lausanne-Sport in 1995 in a cup game with FC Renens – against FC Sion.
Waiting for the special cup moment with FCB
Fabio Celestini experienced some special moments in the cup. When asked what was his most special moment with FCB in the Cup so far, he said: “It’s still coming.” So far, his successes with Rotblau cannot be compared with those he has had with other clubs. Although he had a good year, he only had a little time available, as a defeat in the cup can no longer be corrected in the same season. “It’s like a final every time,” says Celestini, “and if you lose one, on the one hand you’re eliminated and on the other hand it also has a mental impact on the next game. So my thoughts when it comes to the lineup are the same as always: I want to put together the strongest team regardless of the program that follows.”
There will definitely be changes in the starting eleven compared to the game against Lausanne-Sport. This is only clear because of the suspension of Leon Avdullahu, who was sent off in the 1/16 final against FC Stade Nyonnais. In addition to Avdullahu, the injured Arlet Junior Zé and Mohamed Dräger, who had to undergo wisdom tooth surgery, the FCB coach has his entire squad at his disposal.
Fabio Celestini probably won’t experience his most special FCB moment in the cup on Wednesday in the Joggeli, after all it’s all about qualifying for the round of the last eight at the moment. But perhaps the encounter with FC Sion can be seen as part of the path to this. The fourth victory in the cup against FC Sion would be the prerequisite for this.
Swiss
