After the win against Winti: what lessons YB can learn for the city game

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Manchester City at home. That’s some power! The Skyblues last lost at the Etihad on April 16, 2022, in the FA Cup semi-finals. 2:3 against Liverpool. The rest is a story of very few draws, many wins and a few resounding slaps in the face. RB Leipzig were also abused (7:0), Real Madrid (4:0), Manchester United (6:3 and 3:0), Chelsea (4:0), Liverpool (4:1). And those are just the bold names. We will not take into account a 6-0 win against Burnley or the 6-1 win against Bournemouth on Saturday.

YB must find his way into the game through combat

As a warm-up for this football storm, YB played in Winterthur. But don’t laugh, the Bernese can get a lot out of this match. Because in the initial phase they must completely go under. Winti starts like there is no tomorrow. When the team from Zurich took the lead after 200 seconds, they had already lost the first hundred percent.

And this style continues despite the fast YB equalizer. “We are aware of what it means to play against them,” says Loris Benito about Winti-Learning. But what you mainly take away from the Schützenwiese is that you will find a better place in Manchester. “But also that we found our way in the match through the fight. We’ve been missing that a bit lately, but in the first leg against City we were excellent.”

Courage and needle sticks

Struggle and suffering. This is what the initial phase at the Etihad looks like for the opponent. “It will be no different than in Winterthur,” says coach Raphael Wicky. “But that happens to every team that plays in Manchester. Whether it is Premier or Champions League. You have to defend deep and compactly. We have already experienced that in Bern. We know exactly what to expect.” Still, according to the YB coach, you have to be brave and try to thread the needle. “That is certainly possible on the beautiful square.”

Bournemouth, Citizens’ opponent on Saturday, also knew what to expect. And lo and behold: the south coast team survives the first storm unscathed. After half an hour it is 0-0. But then a little later the light blue inferno rages over the guests. Seven minutes later it was no longer 0-0, but 3-0. Directed by the excellent Belgian Jérémy Doku (one goal, four assists!), who was preferred over Phil Foden and Jack Grealish. And with a goal from Manuel Akanji, like against YB.

Haaland’s ankle was hit

In the end it is 6:1. And yet there are concerns for coach Pep Guardiola. Because goal machine Erling Haaland has to come out during the break. Without a goal. Despite three degrees. The Norwegian is ill. Guardiola says: “He collapsed. We didn’t want to take any risks because he wasn’t feeling well. Maybe he’ll be back on Tuesday. Otherwise only on Sundays. In any case, I hope he doesn’t have a major problem with his ankle.” Not much would change for Benito if Haaland were to miss. “It doesn’t really matter to me. Because their squad is so full of world-class strikers. If Haaland can’t play, there will be others who are just as good.”

Anyway, YB’s motto on Tuesday in the heart of England is to dress warmly. Especially since the external conditions (rain, six degrees) will be identical to those in Winterthur.

Source : Blick