Last European tango for the YB captain?: Lustenberger must cancel the Haaland cut

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There are certainly easier tasks in the Europa League than those that await YB. To progress, the Bernese must make up for a two-goal loss from the first leg against Sporting Lisbon. No Swiss team has ever achieved this. On the other hand, instead of the regular central defender duo Camara/Benito, the backups Lustenberger/Camara will play this season.

Lustenberger has already had problems

It is the 45th international match at club level for captain Fabian Lustenberger (35). Possibly his last. Namely if YB is eliminated, which is probably in excellent form against Sporting. And when Lusti hangs up his football boots at the end of the season.

That also seems likely, as he said in an interview with the “Berner Zeitung” that he had already hoped for more playing time this season. He wanted to waste as little energy as possible on arguments, but that kept nagging at him. Especially because he has not missed a single training this season and is in top form. He already helps the boys, but he doesn’t give big speeches anymore, which doesn’t make sense. But he continues to perform his role model function uninterruptedly.

The idea that this is the last season is alive

He came into this season thinking it could be his last. “And that has not changed,” he said ten days ago. Because he doesn’t want to leave Bern anymore. “As of today, uprooting his family from the area is not an option.” So it looks more like a follow-up contract with YB.

The elemental power of Gyökere

But that is something of the future. And that’s why he doesn’t talk about himself in the belly of the Alvalade Stadium. “My future is not the problem now. This is all about YB. And about the enormous task of getting Viktor Gyökeres (25) on the phone, one of the European shooting stars of this season. The Swede with Hungarian roots is the top scorer in the Portuguese league with 16 goals. In the Europa League there are four more goals in six games. One against YB after a penalty in the 3-1 win in Wankdorf. The way he literally rolls over a defense and takes them down is very reminiscent of Erling Haaland. Is the comparison absurd? Lustenberger: «No. They are both Scandinavians. The attitude is similar. You saw in the first leg what strength he has. His play was impressive. His balance too.”

Exit clause of 100 million euros

Sporting transferred 21 million euros to the English second division club Coventry City last summer. In 2019, the Stockholm man was loaned from Brighton to St. Pauli of the 2nd Bundesliga. Now he is valued far too defensively with a transfer value of 45 million. 60 million is closer to reality. The release clause is reportedly 100 million and coach Ruben Amorim says: “Viktor can only leave if someone pays this amount.” Chelsea is already said to be considering this idea.

More ball contacts in the penalty area than Mbappé!

And another number, namely that of the most ball contacts in the opponent’s penalty area in the top seven leagues in Europe: 1. Gyökeres 188. Kylian Mbappé (PSG) 183. 3. Bukayo Sako (Arsenal) 181. With the Swede, Sporting is suddenly at the helm. Became a goal machine. 60 goals in 21 league games. That hasn’t happened in twenty years.

Well: Have fun, Lusti!

Source : Blick