Switzerland is eagerly awaiting the diptych of Young Boys with Ajax in the eighth final of the Europa League on 11 and 18 March. The daily newspaper Blick sees opportunities for the Swiss team, especially since the usually so reliable André Onana cannot be used against Young Boys due to a suspension of one year. Nevertheless, there is also a lot of respect for Ajax. that the most important European club prize has won no less than four times in the past.
“A difficult draw, but certainly promising. That is about the tone of the experts after the draw by former Young Boys.crack Hakan Yakin ”, writes Blick Friday afternoon shortly after the coupling of Ajax to the opponent from Switzerland. The headline above the article therefore reads: ‘Young Boys opponent Ajax has a goalkeeper problem’. The newspaper concludes that Ajax is forced to appeal to veteran Maarten Stekelenburg due to the suspension of Onana. “He returned under the crossbar at Ajax at the age of 38. He played against Lille OSC in both matches, which Ajax won 2-1.”
Le Matin thinks Young Boys has a chance to “add a new page to the history book.” “In addition, one gets a hefty one boost by the return of defender Mohamed Camara and attacker Jean-Pierre Nsamé, who were suspended from the games against Bayer Leverkusen in the previous round. ”The regional newspaper Neue Zürcher Zeitung, based in Zurich, sees Young Boys excel in an otherwise quite colorless season for Swiss football from a European perspective. “Young Boys shines like a lonely Swiss star in the European Cup heaven and now meets Ajax in the second round of the Europa League”, is how Ajax’s next European opponent is hoisted on the shield.
Ajax plays in the eighth final of the Europa League against Young Boys
Friday’s draw has linked Ajax to Young Boys from Switzerland, with a home game on 11 March.
According to Tages Anzeiger it will be a ‘difficult story’ for Young Boys, now that Ajax is the next hurdle in the Europa League. Technical director Christoph Spycher is nevertheless delighted with Friday afternoon’s draw. “We have invested a lot in recent months and at times like last night (against Leverkusen, ed.) We can also reap the benefits of this work,” said the satisfied Young Boys director. “The members of the technical staff took a glass of red wine and some players treated themselves to a beer. We now face a big challenge. Once again we are the outsiders and again it is a team that is known for good football. “
“Of course Ajax is again a big name for us, just a bit bigger than Leverkusen”, Spycher is looking forward to the double encounter with Ajax in the eighth final of the Europa League. “I know that Ajax and his trainer stand for attacking football. Erik ten Hag is very highly regarded as a coach. And recently Ajax has been able to produce great players time and time again”, the Young Boys ‘td’ concludes with a song of praise for the policy in the Johan Cruijff ArenA. 20min brings just like Blick remembering the absence of Onana.
“Will the team from Bern make it? It is absolutely possible”, the Swiss newspaper answers his own question. “After all, they recently won twice in the Europa League against Bayer Leverkusen (4-3 and 0-2, ed.). The place in the eighth final is absolutely deserved. So why can’t the Dutch be beaten? “Ajax is also weakened. Goalkeeper André Onana was found positive in a doping test, because he had taken a prohibited drug. will miss the duels with Young Boys.