YB would like to finally get a point in the Champions League.Bild: keystone
YB will play its penultimate match in this year's Champions League on Wednesday at Celtic Glasgow. For the Bernese who have already failed, it's about saying goodbye with honor. There is a crisis summit between PSG and Manchester City in Paris.
The Young Boys have done nothing in this league phase to ensure that they are received with awe in a big football city. How weak their balance sheet is is shown in detail on the Scottish specialist pages. The portrait of Celtic's opponent is provided with statistics that will make even the Bernese fan swallow empty once again.
In the current season, YB is the worst Champions League participant with 0 points from 6 games and a goal difference of -19. The outcome after the preliminary round is already sealed, and the prospect of improving the balance in Glasgow is not rosy. In the previous twelve away games in the group and league phases of the Champions League, the best results were two draws: in 2021 at Manchester United and in 2023 at Red Star Belgrade, which will be YB's last opponent in Wankdorf next week.
An opportunity for Contini too
Even if the sporting value of the two outstanding Champions League games is low, and in this respect is overshadowed by the guest appearance at Grasshoppers on Saturday in the Super League, the conclusion of the league phase also offers an opportunity. The wonderful atmosphere – in Celtic Park this Wednesday and in Wankdorf a week later – seems ideal for a YB restart this season, which has so far produced little that is pleasant.
Giorgio Contini is about to play his second competitive game with YB.Bild: keystone
Giorgio Contini, who made his Young Boys debut last weekend in a 0-0 draw against Winterthur that was particularly disappointing in terms of results, could make his first statement in Glasgow. A victory in the Champions League is not a given for a team from the Super League, and certainly not one at Celtic Glasgow. No Swiss team has been able to win against the 54-time Scottish champions in nine attempts (8 defeats, 1 draw).
Series champions with good prospects
With Cedric Itten, the Young Boys have a player in their ranks who has already won at Celtic Park. The 28-year-old made a brief appearance with Glasgow Rangers in a 2-0 away win in January 2021. At that time, the Rangers took a step towards winning the championship. It was the only league title since 2012 that did not go to Celtic. This season, the team coached by Brendan Rodgers is clearly on course for the title with a 13-point lead over their city rivals.
-Kasper Schmeichel is the best-known name at Celtic Glasgow.Bild: keystone
Even though Celtic, with the exception of goalie Kasper Schmeichel, does not have any players known across Europe in its squad, it is doing well in the current Champions League and could make its advance to the round of 16 perfect on Wednesday evening. At Celtic Park, which is also called “Paradise” because of its proximity to a cemetery, there have been victories against Leipzig (3:1) and Slovan Bratislava (5:1) as well as a draw against FC Bruges in the three previous games.
It is up to the Young Boys to disprove the Scottish observers who see the Swiss champions as the Champions League's whipping boys. It is not yet too late for the people of Bern to at least do something for their reputation – and for their finances. A win brings 2.1 million euros.
Firecracker in Paris
Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City are particularly under pressure this evening, as they meet in a direct duel. Both teams are still fighting to advance in the premier class.
Paris Saint-Germain has already missed the desired direct entry into the round of 16. Worse: Luis Enrique's team is currently in 25th place with just seven points from the first six games, i.e. outside the places that entitle them to take part in the knockout round.
Manchester City has recovered after difficult weeks and a long series without a win and recently won 6-0 against Ipswich Town in the championship. Confirmation must follow for Manuel Akanji and Co. in Paris. A defeat would put coach Pep Guardiola's team in a very uncomfortable position before the end of the league phase with the home game against FC Brugge.
Defending champion Real Madrid is also in an uncomfortable position in 20th place. With a home win on Wednesday against Salzburg, a big step towards the knockout round would have been taken before the resurgent Kylian Mbappé and his teammates visit the Breton surprise team Brest next week. They have so far collected four points more than Real Madrid. (riz/sda)
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