Gelson Fernandes knows his YB opponent very well: “There is a certain degree of latent frustration at Sporting.”

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The past few weeks have been stressful for Gelson Fernandes (37). The 67-time national player is FIFA’s “Mister Africa”. Officer: Director of the affiliated associations in Africa. The African Cup of Nations, which has just ended, is of course extremely stressful. “I have seen all the matches,” says the Walliser with Cape Verdean roots in his typical, infectious, euphoric way with a slight tendency to exaggerate.

Six games in the Sabers competition for Sporting

Once Gelson returns from Ivory Coast, YB’s Europa League knockout round play-off first leg against Sporting Lisbon awaits. And Gelson is already in demand again because he is the only Swiss who has ever played for Sporting. It was six months. He played six games in what was then known as the Sagres League. He was not used against the big teams Benfica and Porto. Then Gelson returned to Zion. “Because I had family problems at the time,” he says. But this six months in his home country is also one to quickly forget.

What kind of club is there, this Sporting Clube de Portugal, which only the German-speaking countries call Sporting Lisbon? “It is a club with national appeal. That makes it special to play there, because very few clubs have that.” Or else? «Sporting has a great tradition. Is polysportive. Has a great training ground. Has one of the best youth centers in Europe. No, the world. A super stadium with the José Alvalade. And with Ruben Amorim we have a very interesting coach.”

Controversial main shareholder

Nothing negative? “When I was there, in 2012, the club was heavily in debt. We always received our salaries late. If available.” Tempi passati. Today, Sporting, with its controversial main shareholder Alvaro Sobrinho, who was also investigated for money laundering in Switzerland, can acquire players such as the Swedish-Hungarian top scorer Viktor Gyökeres for 21 million euros. “But Sporting also sells players for a lot money, even twice as much,” Gelson adds.

Second negative point according to Gelson: “There is a certain latent frustration at Sporting because the club is actually always number three in the hierarchy behind Benfica and Porto, the small club from the north. But the lions have been catching up lately.”

“YB needs to take an early lead”

In the first leg, Gelson saw a well-rehearsed team, Sporting, and a team that was constantly searching, YB, at 3-1. “The Portuguese also have incredible self-confidence at the moment.” So everything went well? “Not necessarily. YB has to take the lead early. Then the Berners can give Sporting doubts.”

A major disadvantage is certainly that Filip Ugrinic was injured in the first leg. “I’ve been really liking him lately because of his great box-to-box presence.” For this, Meschack Elia storms away from the start. Gelson: “A very important figure for YB. Meschack had a very strong Africa Cup for Congo. I like him a lot.”

Logically, Elijah is African. And “Mister Africa” likes all players from the Black Continent. The same applies to central defender Ousmane Diomandé, who won the tournament with the Ivorians but only played in the first two group matches. Diomandé only plays for YB’s opponent.

Source : Blick