The facts
In their first friendly match of 2024, FC Sion lost 4-3 to BSC Young-Boys. At the Wankdorf, the Valaisans quickly fell behind to two Lauper strikes before the quarter-hour mark. However, Didier Tholot's men reacted quickly. Twice (18th and 45th), Reto Ziegler beat goalkeeper Von Ballmoos to Théo Bouchlarhem's free-kicks. At the interval, the scores were reset.
In the second half, the Bernese regained their two-point lead after goals from Rrudhani (63rd) and Dema (83rd). Kevin Bua's late penalty narrowed the gap to 4-3.
Reactions
Didier Tholot: "We struggled a little at the start of the game. After that, we had a very good run up to the break. We could have ended up with eleven men against ten (editor's note: a Bernese man was sent off for Ziegler's free-kick), but I preferred to accept YB's return to full strength in the second half. It was a warm-up match. The second half was more difficult for us."
Didier Tholot: "What were we looking for after just four days' preparation? We still want to win, that's for sure. There were some interesting things, in the first half in particular, but we need to do more!"
The compositions
FC Sion (1st half): Fayulu; Lavanchy, Schmied, Ziegler, Hefti; André, Kabacalman; Chipperfield, Chouaref, Bouchlarhem; Sorgic.
FC Sion (2nd half): Lindner; Theler, Richard, Saintini, Moubandje; Bua, Baltazar; Rusev, Chouaref (65th Bouchlarhem), Berdayes; Zagré.
BSC YB (1st half): Von Ballmoos; Blum, Amenda, Benito, Garcia; Lauper; Monteiro, Ugrinic, Lakomy; Ganvoula, Itten.
BSC YB (2nd period): Racioppi; Kabeya, Amenda, Lustenberger, Persson; Males, Niasse, Lakomy, Rrudhani; Ganvoula, Nsame.
More news
FC Sion will train three more times (Wednesday and Thursday) before departing for training camp on Friday morning.
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