Before the eighth game against Pilsen: the entire competition is rooting for Servette

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When Servette hosts Viktoria Pilsen today in the first leg of the last 16 of the Conference League, even YB will be rooting for its biggest opponent in the competition. Because: the people of Geneva are not only holding up the Swiss flag in Europe, but are also involved in a long-distance duel with Sturm Graz, the last Austrian representative.

For the team of the hour in the Super League, the two games against third-placed Czech Republic are not only about reaching the quarter-finals of the European Cup for the first time in 45 years, but also about defending Switzerland’s 12th place in UEFA. rankings. For that, Servette Sturm must keep Graz, which plays against Lille, under control, because the lead over Austria is a paltry 0.175 points.

Servette’s top player is questionable

Whether you finish twelfth or thirteenth makes a big difference. Although 13th place in the rankings also entitles two participants to qualify for the Champions League, the champion from number 12 in the rankings would advance directly to the play-offs. In addition, the cup winner will go directly to the Europa League play-offs instead of the third qualifying round. And: The third place in the championship plays for participation in the Europa League instead of the Conference League.

René Weiler estimates Pilsen to be just as strong as Slavia Prague, against whom Servette had no chance in the group stage of the Europa League in the autumn and lost 0:2 and 0:4. “They are extremely well organised, very disciplined and physically strong.” But the Servette coach is not throwing in the towel, even though the recently outstanding Timothé Cognat missed the last training due to flu and is doubtful. “We’ve gotten better since the fall,” Weiler said.

Source : Blick