YB sports director Steve von Bergen on 2023 selection planning: “The Niasse disciplinary issue is forgotten and forgiven”

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Display: Where is YB in the selection schedule? Is it almost over with the four newcomers so far?
Steve von Bergen: We are in the middle of the transfer window. You can’t say we’re done.

What’s still missing?
That depends on whether there is movement in the team. We signed Silvere Ganvoula, Lukasz Lakomy, Noah Persson and Malik Deme. Now it depends on who goes max.

In short, the selection should be bigger, because this time you play in the Champions League or the Europa League.
Yes, we need a squad for a group stage. At least eight international games will be added and two because of the new mode. The rhythm until December will be very high! We have to be prepared for that.

The signing of Ganvoula from Bochum was announced on Wednesday. An extra striker. Were you proactive about getting him in case Elijah or Nsame left?
We saw in the cup final, when Cedric Itten was out, that we lack a striker who is ready to play. We need four or five. We want this great match. It’s possible there’s another one going. But at the moment nothing is on the table. Apart from that, Ganvoula was a great opportunity that we could use to bring in a guy with a lot of experience in Belgium and Germany. We’ve had him on our radar for a while.

And is Lakomy also a proactive transfer should Niasse go?
No. We see Lakomy as a more offensive player than Niasse and Lauper.

Disciplinary violations, such as in the Niasse case, which even led to a temporary removal from the selection, are little known to YB. Do you want to get rid of Niasse or is everything okay again?
Cheikh is a young player who has had a great first half of the season. Then, partly due to the incidents, he lost his place. And Sandro Lauper seized his chance. That is exactly what competition is all about. We are very happy that both are here for sixth position.

That means: the disciplinary case is forgotten and forgiven?
That’s how it is. Cheikh then behaved in an exemplary manner. He learned from it.

One name doing the rounds is that of Stade Lausanne Ouchy striker Teddy Okou, who has already posted a photo in the YB dress…
He is a sidekick of Cheikh Niasse. The two switched jerseys after the cup match. But it’s just rumors that we want him.

But is it possible that these rumors lead to something concrete?
No, I do not think so.

The goalkeepers: what about the timing of David von Ballmoos’ return?
We have five goalkeepers under contract. Three are unavailable. Only Dario Marzino and Leandro Zbinden are here at the start of practice. Marvin Keller is in the U21 team, Anthony Racioppi has another meniscus injury and Von Ballmoos is still missing. He has made great strides and is on the right track. But it is still impossible to make accurate predictions.

So are you going into the new season with all five keepers?
Yes. It is the intention that Zbinden will play at the U21. If you subtract Von Ballmoos, we have our three goalkeepers. There won’t be a reassessment until he comes back.

Speaking of three: YB still has three central defenders after the departure of Cédric Zesiger: Lustenberger, who will not play almost every game, Camara and Amenda. Isn’t that a bit?
With Loris Benito there are four. We spoke to him. He can play left and center. We have Persson for the left. Benito has what it takes to become a central defender.

On the right back, however, they have one too many with Maceiras.
He is not happy with the situation. We understand that. Because he’s always been great. Sometimes played on the left, sometimes on the right. We look for a solution together.

Source : Blick