The arrival of Giorgio Contini at Young Boys will not have changed anything. After seven days, Bern’s adventure in the Champions League remains stuck at zero points. However, YB did everything to hold the score on Wednesday against Celtic Glasgow, before Loris Benito was the author of an unfortunate own goal in the 86th minute (1-0).
There is reason to be a little upset, because the Bernese held on to this 0-0 which would have served their confidence. But at the end of the game, Adam Idah went on goal, and lost his face-off to Marvin Keller. But the ball hit the shin of the YB captain. A little annoying.
Because until then, Keller had played the hero. The young goalkeeper, whom Contini promoted to number one in place of David von Ballmoos, justified his status, with almost seven saves made. Notably the one on Engels’ penalty in the 41st minute of play. But also by showing confidence when the Scots approached his goal in a regular position.
Because the story of the first half is notably the three goals scored by Celtic, but refused by the referee, often well helped by the VAR. For offside, but also for a foul committed on Niasse at the half-hour mark. He also helped with his bar at the start of the second period, on a header from Trusty.
-It was necessary to leave YB alive in this match. Because the domination of the Glasgow team has become difficult to bear for the reigning Swiss champions, who have created almost nothing. Even if Young Boys could have achieved a small feat, if Darian Males had not seen his double opportunity in the 63rd minute be doubly stopped by Kasper Schmeichel, the Celtic goalkeeper.
The fact remains that this seventh defeat will not change anything in Bern’s destiny in this competition. They will still have one last meeting next week at Wankdorf against Red Star Belgrade to hope to emerge from this Champions League with their heads held high. Even if, for Contini, we must think that it is the continuation that counts, and the rise in the Super League ranking which is essential.
