Despite being in the cup final: Lugano goalie Saipi remains number one in the U21 squad

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Before the cup final, the hierarchy was clear: Amir Saipi (22), who has been guarding FC Lugano’s goal as clear number one since October 2021, is placed in the U21 national team. His backup? Ironically, the two years younger Marvin Keller, who is in the final with last opponent YB between the posts.

And now? Does the Lugano goalkeeper buck whirl up the hierarchy in the national team when he lost way outside five in the duel against YB top scorer Jean-Pierre Nsame and enabled YB to score the second goal? “No,” says U21 national coach Patrick Framework. “We enter the tournament with a clear starting position: Saipi is number one.”

Saipi knew he shouldn’t have lost this dogfight, says Frame. “Amir also played a good game.” Frame says about YB keeper Keller and his big save against Espinoza when the score was 2:1 for YB: “He impressed me too.”

Saipi has an explanation

Saipi says: «Last year I left the field as the winner. Now I know what it feels like to lose a final. The first two goals were our own mistakes, we were not focused. Me too on the second goal.” In the same breath he says: “But the contact is there! If I come out with the high ball and someone jumps at me, it’s hard to control in the air. There’s a foul in the second half when Renato Steffen jumps into the other goalkeeper, Marvin. Not with us. You can see it any way you want.” The difference here: Steffen jumps on Keller, Nsame jumps.

The mood is different for Keller, who puts in a great performance in his fourth game for YB. Even though Renato Steffen’s swipe to make it 2:3 just before the end didn’t seem untenable. “I’m totally happy. It’s unbelievable! I’m just enjoying it.” He doesn’t like to comment on his big save against Espinoza: “I’m just glad we got the pot. It could have tipped either way. But I really don’t care…”

Saipi and Keller will meet again on Wednesday when the U21s meet. Saipi wants to regenerate until then, celebrate Keller. Barring unforeseen circumstances, Saipi will be in goal for the European Championship match against Norway on June 22.

Source : Blick