After Young Boys' 5-1 defeat in Stuttgart, two topics dominate: The controversial 1-2 and how the players dealt with the stroke of fate suffered by their teammate Meschack Elia.
"It's obviously very difficult to talk about sport now after what we've experienced in the last 24 hours," said captain Loris Benito, summing up the situation. On Monday evening after the final training session, Elia learned that one of his children had died unexpectedly at the age of four. "It's a story that can't be put into words," says Benito. "He is part of our YB family. The fact that this has happened to him has pulled the rug out from under our feet in the hotel."
After Lukasz Lakomy made it 1-0 in the 6th minute, the goalscorer, surrounded by teammates, held up the jersey with the number 15, that of Elia, to the camera. "It was nice at that moment that we were able to give him and his family something back for a moment, even if there's nothing that gives enough comfort," said Bern goalkeeper David von Ballmoos. "We had also planned a lot for him and that resulted in the 1:0."
1:2 fitting for the day
As far as the game was concerned, the groundbreaking 1:2 from YB's point of view by Enzo Millot (53') was a talking point. The linesman had previously raised his flag because he saw the ball out, whereupon the Bernese players stopped defending. However, the referee allowed play to continue and the goal counted after a review. "It's a shame that people at this level don't stand by their decision, as it would have shown greatness," explained von Ballmoos. "That's the only thing I want to say about it." Coach Joël Magnin added: "We have to play the game to the end, in the end the referee decides. We didn't do that and it's in keeping with our day."
As unfortunate as the 1:2 was from Young Boys' point of view, it would probably have been a defeat otherwise, Stuttgart were too superior after the 0:1. "We weren't good enough on the pitch, as we have been a few times before in the Champions League," Benito said plainly. The lead was not stolen. However, they did not manage to establish themselves in the opponent's half. "I missed that a bit. In the second half, the goals we conceded were far too easy. It started with the 1:2 - an unbelievable action by the linesman. It was clear to us that the ball was out. After 1:3 it was brutal, they were extremely efficient with their finishing."
Magnin felt that Stuttgart's intensity and quality made the difference. On the whole campaign so far in the Champions League - YB are still without points with a goal difference of 3:22 and can no longer reach the knockout round - he said: "We can't keep up for 90 minutes, that's the big difference."
Rieder praises performance
Swiss Fabian Rieder, who celebrated great success with YB, played a major part in Stuttgart's victory with three assists. He knew Elia's deceased child personally. "My thoughts were and still are with him," said Rieder. He said of the game: "In the second half, we were better with the final pass and then it went quickly. If we perform like we did today, with a lot of self-confidence, then we can score against any opponent, especially with our fans behind us."
