“It doesn’t help if I jump up and down on the line”: YB coach Wicky defends himself after innocent performance

class=”sc-cffd1e67-0 iQNQmc”>

The final phase was already underway when Raphael Wicky gave another one of his rare signs of life on the sidelines. Itten missed the equalizer with his head by millimeters, and the YB coach gave him an encouraging round of applause.

Otherwise, the Welshman usually does not notice that YB becomes increasingly harmless after a good start – and eventually loses to FCB for the first time in three and a half years. “I don’t feel like I’m doing anything by jumping up and down on the line,” Wicky defended himself after the match. “I prefer to try to give specific instructions.”

Only three YB shots on the opponent’s goal

During the break, the 48-year-old took corrective action for the first time. Darian Males, the opponent’s top scorer last season, remains in the locker room. Joel Mvuka comes to get him. The Norwegian new striker cannot forget that the two best scorers from Bern, Jean-Pierre Nsame (departure to Como) and Meschak Elia (Africa Cup), are missing. Wicky says: “We received too many bad passes for more than ninety minutes and played too poorly technically.”

YB only becomes really dangerous in the final phase. After missing a heading opportunity, Itten tries a curling shot. FCB goalkeeper Hitz fishes the ball out with a beautiful flying movement. It is only the third and final YB shot on Basel’s goal. For the second time this season, the Berners have had no sense of success. Which top scorer is Nsame thinking now?

St. Gallen can catch up

But it’s not just on offense that the YB coach is struggling with departures and absences. Noah Persson should play at left back for Ulisses Garcia, who has moved to Marseille. However, the talented Swede is not yet an adequate replacement. On the other hand, Lewin Blum can no longer continue after half an hour due to an injury. Saidy Janko, who only returned from the Africa Cup of Nations halfway through the week, is in action for him.

Wicky still doesn’t want to complain: “There’s no point in talking about the players who are no longer there. We have new talented players. But it takes some time to integrate them.”

But the residents of Bern should not take too much time for this. On Sunday, pursuers St. Gallen can come within two points of the champions with a home win against Lugano.

Source : Blick