Wicky before big CL match: ‘Know that we can play on an equal footing’

Final conclusion

YB coach Raphael Wicky is aware of the importance of the match against Red Star Belgrade. He focuses on himself and his team and has a game plan ready. Yet he doesn’t feel much pressure. “I never approach something like this with the idea that it has to be done, but always with the idea that it is possible. With a win we can achieve something big.” From the first leg, which ended in a draw, he has taken with him the confidence that he is on an equal footing with his opponent. He no longer mourns the late equalizer.

The fact that we lost to FC Zurich on Saturday and didn’t look good no longer matters. “The frustration and disappointment was great for everyone,” says Wicky. They had discussed the game and now knew what to do differently. He does not expect the Belgrade team to play forward.

They have no problem with the fact that the game is only a few days away. “We are used to English weeks,” says Loris Benito. As the twelfth man, he is looking forward to a great atmosphere in the stadium and the support of the YB fans.

End of press conference

The PK ends with this question. Raphael Wicky and Loris Benito say goodbye to those present.

What’s the mentality when it’s a draw with just a few minutes to go? What are your thoughts on this?

Rafael Wicky: “We are aware of the initial situation. We know what we achieve with a win and what a draw means. It depends on the game. Are we dominant or not, close to leadership or far away? If it’s difficult, you might say, “We’ll get to the point now.”

The match against Zurich was certainly unpleasant for you. What’s it like to have that right before the game of the year?

Rafael Wicky: “At the end of the day, we all don’t like to lose. Everyone was very frustrated and disappointed. It’s never good to lose games. No coach will say it’s a good thing that we lost two days before the Champions League. There are reasons why things didn’t go the way we wanted against Zurich. We have discussed this and know what to do differently. Now let’s turn the page and focus on the next game. As always, I hope the last game doesn’t affect the next game. Everything we have done in the past that sets us apart, we have to bring to the field tomorrow. And don’t just think about what was bad on the weekend.

On Saturday you played against Zurich. What have you been focusing on in the short period leading up to the Champions League match? How does such preparation work?

Loris Benito: «We are used to English weeks. Playing is more fun than training. We look from game to game. After the final whistle against Zurich it was clear that we would now concentrate on Belgrade. We will try to implement what the coach says as best as possible. We have a clear game plan.”

Are you still mourning the late equalizer in Belgrade? What would qualifying against Red Star mean?

Rafael Wicky: «I no longer think about the end result in Belgrade. Of course the mood after the match was not good, we were disappointed. Precisely because we were in the lead for a long time and only ended with a draw. Qualifying for the group stage of the Champions League cannot be compared to the chance of qualifying for the Europa League. Both are a goal for us. We have achieved the first, now we also want to be able to spend the winter in Europe.”

With Basel you have already wintered in Europe. How important would it be for you personally, for your Palmarès, to play in the Europa League next year?

Rafael Wicky: ‘I haven’t thought about it. I am part of the team, part of the club. It’s about the Young Boys and not about me. We want to achieve the goal we have set ourselves. If that works, then that’s great for me too, because I’m part of it. I don’t go into this task feeling that it has any greater significance for me personally.”

Last time there were riots

There were riots at the last YB home match against Red Star Belgrade. Upon request, the PK is informed that they maintain close contact with the police and that a concept has been drawn up. There will certainly be a large contingent on site. No details are revealed.

Cedric Itten was recently injured. Do you have any information on how long he will be out?

Rafael Wicky: “He will not train with us in the coming weeks. We expect him to return in January.”

After the defeat against Zurich you said several times ‘it doesn’t work that way’. Do you still have the game in your head?

Loris Benito: “Such games are always processed immediately. The game is over. We know better what to do and the focus is now completely on the match against Belgrade.”