Own Goals and Misplaced Hopes: The Sunny Slope of Swiss Football
Dräger’s Dilemma: What Was He Thinking?
Ah, the beautiful game! Or should I say, the beautifully baffling game? Last night’s thriller between Young Boys and FC Basel had everything: suspense, skill, and a masterclass in how *not* to score. The notorious Mohamed Dräger—who, for the sake of argument, we shall fondly refer to as “Dräger the Dreaded”—decided to gift Young Boys an own goal that had fans reeling. With the match poised at 1-2, the poor chap stood all alone at the far post—presumably trying to figure out where the nearest exit was as a delightful cross from Lewin Blum floated his way. The transformation from defender to inadvertent scorer was instantaneous, and one can only wonder what went through his mind: “Did I remember to turn off the oven?”
The Game’s Unsung Hero: Meshack Elijah
Swipe left on the spotlight, and let’s shift gears to Meshack Elijah, the Congolese wizard causing waves between the defense and the goal. I mean, the guy was hotter than a jalapeño on a summer’s day, weaving his way past defenders like they were merely traffic cones. He might have been denied by the brilliant Basel goalie Hitz in the first half, but Meshack showed true perseverance—like that one housemate who doesn’t stop trying to fix the Wi-Fi. He was responsible for the equalizer, threading an exquisite pass to Ugrinic, who temporarily forgot to remember: “The goal is that way!” Let’s just say we’ll chalk it up to the pressure.
The Better Team: Young Boys’ Lackluster Dominance
In classic football fashion, the better team didn’t always score the most goals, except, well—when FC Basel decided to help them out. Imagine playing Monopoly and giving your opponent all your properties willingly. That was the essence of this game. Young Boys played with flair and vigor but squandered chances like they were taking them to a thrift shop. They impressed, yet it was like watching a magician whose best trick ended up being simply pulling a rabbit out of a hat—and then immediately stepping on it.
A Forgotten Curse: FC Basel’s Wallflower Routine
Speaking of suffering, if I had a penny for every time FC Basel lost to Young Boys in Wankdorf, I’d be a rich person right now… or at least have enough to buy a sad bouquet for Dräger. Out of their last 18 competitive encounters, they’ve lost a staggering 15! The last memorable day for the Red Blue faithful? May 22, 2016. A win was so long ago, it almost qualifies for a family reunion!
Gates of Glory: The Goals We’ve All Been Waiting For
- 19’ I 0:1 I Anton Kade scored after a rebound from YB goalie David von Ballmoos.
- 64’ I 1:1 I Ugrinic capitalizes on a defensive slip to equalize.
- 81’ I 2:1 I A classic Dräger special—own goal!
- 87’ I 3:1 I Another own goal—this time, Adrian Barisic takes the honors.
- 89’ I 3:2 I Dominik Schmid scores a consolation goal too late to matter.
What Lies Ahead: Potential Potholes and Prowess
Onward to the weekend, where the clubs are back on their rollercoaster rides of joy and despair. Basel meets Winterthur—a game that could either be theater or tragedy—and Young Boys better be ready against Zurich. And as for Sion, one can only ponder how many times they’ll invoke the spirit of lost opportunities against FC St. Gallen.
FC Sion vs FC Zürich: A Quick Recap
Sion felt the cold grip of a 0-2 defeat to Zürich, where Armstrong Okoflex was nearly the hero but found himself thwarted by Yannik Brecher’s goalkeeping heroics. After a VAR drama which led to a penalty for Zürich, they seized control, taking advantage of Sion’s defense. Who would’ve thought misplaced hopes could transfer across clubs? It’s been a topsy-turvy week in Swiss football history!
Conclusion: More Mayhem Awaiting Swiss Football
As we set our sights on the next fixtures, let’s all take a moment to appreciate the beauty and chaos of football. Whether your team is lifting trophies or struggling in the depths of despair, every match is a chance for a new story—silly goals included! Just remember to keep the popcorn handy; it’s bound to be entertaining!
In a shocking twist, Dräger inadvertently netted an own goal, pulling the score to 1:2.
SRF
The scene of the game
The leadership from Young Boys was richly deserved. When the ball found the back of the net in the 81st minute during the tense clash between Young Boys and FC Basel, the stadium erupted in jubilant celebration. The moment was marred by an unfortunate own goal from Basel’s Mohamed Dräger. What was he doing there, alone at the far post? Lewin Blum launched a stunning cross from the right side to the far post, where no Bern players were present to receive it. In an unexpected turn of events, Dräger stood isolated and, in a moment of crisis, redirected the ball into his own net. This turn of events was bitterly disappointing for Basel, as the struggling Young Boys clinched a dramatic victory with a final score of 3-2 against their rivals.
The key figure
Meshack Elijah emerged as a standout player throughout the match. The Congolese talent showcased his skills, coming extremely close to scoring in the first half, but was thwarted by the exceptional performance of Basel’s goalkeeper, Hitz. Yet, Elijah’s determination never wavered. He consistently advanced toward the Basel goal, creating numerous opportunities for his teammates. When the scoreboard read 1-1, it was Elijah’s precise and unyielding assist to Ugrinic that allowed for a critical attempt at goal from a distance of 13 meters, which could have significantly eased the Bernese’s anxiety had he aimed with more accuracy.
The better team
Young Boys displayed remarkable superiority on the field, persistently pushing forward and creating pressure on the Basel goal. Fabio Celestini’s squad struggled to maintain possession and failed to generate significant danger. The upsetting aspect was that, despite being the dominant force throughout the match, the Bernese team floundered in converting their chances into goals for a protracted period. In a stark contrast, the Basel team managed to make the most of their limited chances. The eventual explosion of goal-scoring from Young Boys in the latter stages of the match felt like a cruel twist for FC Basel, who had hoped to break free from their recent struggles. The defeat for the Red and Blues was a harsh yet accurate reflection of their lackluster performance following the brief resurgence showcased in Shaqiri’s stunning display against Winti.
The twittering from the stands
Of the last 18 competitive encounters that FC Basel faced against Young Boys in Wankdorf, an astonishing 15 resulted in losses, with only three drawn games recorded, including cup match-ups. Not surprisingly, the Rotblau squad was desperate to put an end to this dreadful streak on Wednesday night, yet their efforts proved fruitless.
The gates
19’ I 0:1 I Anton Kade capitalized on a rebound from YB goalie David von Ballmoos, deftly scoring to clinch an early lead for FC Basel.
64’ I 1:1 I For once, Basel’s Hitz failed to assert his dominance. Ugrinic seized the opportunity, catching the keeper off guard and leveling the score for Bern.
81’ I 2:1 I In a moment of despair for Basel, FCB-Star Dräger inadvertently turned the ball into his own net.
87’ I 3:1 I The situation worsened for Basel as Adrian Barisic mirrored Dräger’s misfortune, scoring another own goal.
89’ I 3:2 I Dominik Schmid struck with a late header, pulling one back, but it was too little and too late.
This is how it goes
The teams will regroup and return to action this weekend. FC Basel is set to face Winterthur, while Young Boys will go head-to-head against Zurich. Additionally, Sion will challenge FC St. Gallen.
FC Sion – FC Zürich 0:2
In the 8th minute, Armstrong Okoflex narrowly missed giving Zurich the crucial lead with a stylish heel trick. FCZ’s keeper, Yannik Brecher, made several exceptional saves to keep the game scoreless. In the 30th minute, Ylyas Chouaref managed to score for Sion; however, his goal was correctly disallowed due to an offside violation. As the teams ventured into halftime, the score remained 0-0.
The VAR intervened in the 53rd minute, prompting referee Alessandro Dudic to review the play. He ultimately awarded a penalty after Theo Bouchlarhem fouled an opponent. Mirlind Kryeziu coolly converted the penalty, sending the ball past Brecher. Additionally, Bouchlarhem received his second yellow card for the foul, forcing him off the field. Following a defensive blunder from Sion, Jonathan Okita sealed the game with a powerful finish, making it 2-0 in the 77th minute.
FC St. Gallen – Winterthur 2:2
In the misty ambiance of St. Gallen, the guests were presented with an early double chance in the 8th minute, but Lawrence Ati Zigi, the FCSG goalkeeper, denied Winterthur and maintained the clean sheet. However, in the 20th minute, he could do nothing against Matteo Di Giusto’s striking goal, finished smoothly after a cross from Antoine Baroan. Seconds before halftime, Bastien Toma netted a deserved equalizer with a powerful shot from around 20 meters.
In the 65th minute, Chadrac Akolo propelled the hosts into the lead, converting from a header won by Lukas Görtler, showcasing St. Gallen’s prowess as they turned the match around. Yet, celebrations were short-lived as Labinot Bajrami quickly responded for Winterthur just five minutes later, ensuring the score remained evenly contested. Zigi stood resolute in goal, making several crucial saves to keep his team in the match.
Eep the game scoreless. However, in a critical moment of the match, VAR intervened to award a penalty to Zürich after a foul was identified in the Sion box. The penalty was converted, marking the beginning of Sion’s struggles. Despite attempts to rally, they couldn’t find an answer to Zürich’s solid defense or capitalize on their own opportunities, culminating in a final score of 0-2. Sion’s recurring theme of missed chances and defensive lapses continued to haunt them this season, leaving fans disheartened yet again.
Final Thoughts: Extra Spice in Swiss Football
As we look ahead to the next set of fixtures, the unpredictable nature of Swiss football ensures that drama is never far away. Teams may get a second chance for redemption or face the music of further despair. Let’s brace ourselves for another thrilling weekend of the beautiful game, where surprises, brilliance, and, yes, the occasional blunder will continue to serve as a reminder of why we love football. Be sure to catch the action live and keep the excitement rolling!
