Itten about his many years of internship: “Abroad you are just a number”

class=”sc-29f61514-0 icZBHN”>

Cedric Itten (26) is in good shape. Even though he failed to convince the national team in the 3-3 draw against Belarus, he always scored in the last three games with YB. In the 1-0 win against the GC he scored a dream goal with his outside foot deflection, and in Belgrade, in the 2-2 win against Red Star, he fulfilled a childhood dream with his first goal in the competition. Champions League. And against Basel, after coming on as a substitute, the Basel native leaves the opponent’s defenders standing like slalom poles and scores deliberately to make the score 3-0.

Itten competes directly with Jean-Pierre Nsame (30), last season’s top scorer, who is now once again among the four top scorers in the competition with five goals. The two have a very good relationship, Itten emphasizes. He visited Nsame in hospital after he became a father. “And Jean-Pierre was at my house when I was injured.” YB coach Wicky is currently counting on Itten for important matches. He was always in the starting line-up in the four matches of the Champions League (including the play-offs).

Years of internship abroad

Itten feels completely at home at YB. He feels the club’s appreciation. This is also the reason why he has extended his contract with the double winner for another year until 2027. But the subject abroad has not yet been ticked off for him. “If there is an offer that the club and I can support, we are open,” Itten said.

He doesn’t want to force anything and doesn’t have to, after all Itten has been playing abroad for two years. In 2020 he will move from St. Gallen to Glasgow Rangers under coach Steven Gerrard. But his breakthrough failed to materialize and a year later he was loaned out to Greuther Fürth in the Bundesliga for half a season. After returning to Rangers, Itten will join YB in the summer of 2022.

His experiences abroad have shaped him. “It’s difficult abroad, where you are just a number. Either you work, or you leave quickly.” In Glasgow, 55,000 spectators would have whistled if it was 0-0 after ten minutes and he had made a bad pass, according to Itten. “The experiences have made me stronger.”

Gained muscle mass

But Itten doesn’t want to miss his time abroad. He has worked with former top strikers such as Roy Makaay (48) and Jermain Defoe (41) and has also learned a lot professionally. For the Rangers, players were in the facility from nine to four. “YB also works very professionally. But even more is being done abroad.”

Itten invests a lot in his body. He has gained seven kilos of muscle mass. “It’s mainly about injury prevention,” says Itten. You can’t start doing this until you’re older. At YB, he is one of the first to arrive at the stadium and one of the last to leave. Even on days off, Itten, who lives near Wankdorf, usually continues with his program.

On Saturday, YB Leader welcomes FCZ in the top match. The master is not yet completely convincing. “There is still room for improvement,” says Itten. However, due to the triple workload and the rotation in the team, this is understandable. “And we got the points we need to get into the competition.” Also against the FCZ? Time will tell.

Source : Blick