How good is YB actually?: The team checked after Wicky’s dismissal

Although YB conceded five more goals in the first 26 rounds than last season (24:19), according to statistics the Bernese team should have conceded 1.49 goals per match (effectively 0.92). Compared to last year, YB is even stronger in goal – as David von Ballmoos (29) is back after a long injury and has regained the number 1 spot. The voice of the Emmentaler has become even more important due to the various departures and failures on the field and in the dressing room. Anthony Racioppi (25) is also a potential number 1 in his class. He made up for some big mistakes in the preliminary round with several “big saves.”

Conclusion: YB has a luxury problem with goalkeepers.

According to statistics, defense is one of the reasons for the drop in performance, as YB allows the opponent to make significantly more shots. While there were just under ten last season, this season there are more than thirteen per match. It is striking that the number of matches won between central defenders has decreased. The exception is Loris Benito (32). But he, an important leader within the team thanks to his multilingualism and experience, has been missing for a month with a torn cruciate ligament. The percentage has fallen the most for Fabian Lustenberger. In addition, there is the substantive loss due to the departure of Cédric Zesiger (25), who left Bern for the Bundesliga this summer. Aurèle Amenda (to Frankfurt), who currently has the best tackle percentage (68.42), is also leaving this summer. YB will also receive R15 million for the 20-year-old jewel.

Conclusion: The defense clearly gave up.

YB has conceded a lot this season when it comes to creating chances from midfield. The departure of Fabian Rieder (22) and Christian Fassnacht (30) and the injuries of Kastriot Imeri (23) and Filip Ugrinic (25) are serious. Various passport statistics show this. For example with the expected templates. With a value of 0.17 per game, the long-term injured Imeri is the second best YB player. With this value he would have only been sixth best last season. The extent to which Wicky tried to bring danger back into the game is also evident from the fact that he regularly made changes compared to the year before. With little success.

Conclusion: Last year the midfield was feared, currently it is much more harmless.

YB scored 51 goals this season. No other team has more to its name. But the impression is deceptive. Compared to the same point last season, nine goals are missing. The xG value (expected goals) shows that this is no coincidence. Last year the Bernese scored 2.28 goals per match, although 2.12 goals per match were expected. This season it is still more than expected, but at a significantly lower level (1.55 expected per game; 1.96 created). And yet: it’s not just the strikers’ fault. Because they still score more goals than expected. However, their overperformance is no longer so clear, which benefits their opponents.

Conclusion: YB’s Sturm delivers, but not as well as before.