“The players have to get together now”

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Well past midnight, David Degen takes his time for the journalists. He is very proud of the team that played a sensational European Cup campaign. Proud of the fans who caused goosebumps with their choreography before the start of the game. Curious: During the match, Degen kept appearing on the stadium’s screen – and each time he sat in a different seat. The 40-year-old trotted around the stadium during the 120-minute match and admitted after the final whistle: “I was very nervous. We really wanted to make it to the final. But with Fiorentina there was an opponent who was way ahead of us in terms of budget and who certainly didn’t steal the progression.”

As president and largest shareholder – and with the difficult financial situation in mind – Degen is already aiming for the final sprint in the Super League. And I hope the players will too. That they finally show their European face in everyday competitive life.

Difficult residual program

With three games to go, FCB is in 6th place, which does not entitle them to participate in the European Cup next season. 5th place is enough if Lugano finishes in the top four of the ranking. Otherwise FCB has to finish fourth.

The last three opponents all compete for the international starting places: on Sunday the in good form Lugano comes to the Joggeli, then FCB has to go to Geneva before GC is a guest on the last day. “If we take nine points, there is a good chance that we will be third or fourth. As difficult as it is for them at the moment, the players have to pick themselves up and focus on the competition,” Degen demands.

“I’d Give Anything”

The 40-year-old immediately provided the motivation for a successful final sprint: “Most players will still be there next season. If I were her, I would like to play internationally again next season and cause a stir again. I would go full throttle.” If successful, FCB will qualify for the Conference League in the summer. Because he is sown in this, the road to the group stage should be achievable.

At the beginning of this week, Degen announced at the general meeting how important the renewed European Cup qualification is financially for FCB. “I tremble every day at the scenario of missing international affairs,” said the president, who had great difficulty with the embarrassing 1: 6 in St. Gallen between the two Fiorentina matches.

If they lose a point against Lugano on Sunday, the international places for red and blue could already be practically unreachable. And let the horror scenario take on realistic features.

Source : Blick