Young Boys of Berne - The Opposition

[cabinfever]

Home or away first?

 

[roosh]

these are the two comments I'm most glad to hear:

"the worst that we could have". "It's the hardest draw, Tottenham is more difficult than Fenerbahce for us. We are very happy to play in the Europa League, if we lose to Tottenham. If we win, we are in the group phase. That's what we hope, but the chance is very, very little. Can we win? At the moment no, I don't think so."

- Alain Baumann (Bern's sporting director)

"I don't think there was a perfect draw, all five teams were quality sides. It's just up to us now to prepare for it and hopefully find a way through. Perhaps it could have been harder – with Dynamo Kyiv there's the travel aspect. The other thing we'll be pleased about is that we're at home in the second leg, that's always an advantage.

- Darren Eales (Tottenham Hotspur club secretary)

 

[roosh]

Home or away first?

away

 

[Ron Burgundy]

They have an astroturf pitch apparently

Pretty weird

 

[Michey]

Will NOT take anything out before the games..........BUT....

We've been extremely lucky in the draw and it would be a very big disapointment to miss out on Champs League now.

ray:

 

[Bingy]

How lucky are we now to have so few english players in our first team! If there was ever a complacent nation in the world....it MUST be England? haha. Maybe the foreign players will keep the rest of the squad 'feet on the ground', as it should be?
It looks as if we can progress (we should?) but.....belief is important without being over confident (as well as a worthwhile signing, or two! COYS

 

[wildheart]

They have an astroturf pitch apparently

Pretty weird

They do.

Seems a bit backward for the Champions League. They should be banned and we should have a bye (sp?)

 

[Wellspurs]

couldnt have asked for a more favourable draw! cant imagina away allocatiion is enormous?

They have a 32000 capacity so maybe 3000?

 

[chrissivad]

They have an astroturf pitch apparently

Pretty weird

and sounds like they are good on it as well. Great home record last season, only losing 1 game. Didn't hear if that included European game or just league.

 

[tRiKS]

they have a decent scalp already (fenebache) and will be at a better level of match fitness and have an astro turf pitch! I don't think we can afford to be too casual about it...

 

[Spurger King]

They do.

Seems a bit backward for the Champions League. They should be banned and we should have a bye (sp?)

Agreed. I think we should also be given a 3 point bonus in the group stage as an apology for this inconvenience.

 

[Spursking]

We have to watch out for the Ivorians and the other africans they have. Not an easy team, but we should have a good chance. If we don't beat them, then we do not actually deserve a place in the Champions League either. Champions League consists of the best Clubs. To be there, we have to prove that we are one of the best.

 

[Jaispurs]

How lucky are we now to have so few english players in our first team! If there was ever a complacent nation in the world....it MUST be England? haha. Maybe the foreign players will keep the rest of the squad 'feet on the ground', as it should be?
It looks as if we can progress (we should?) but.....belief is important without being over confident (as well as a worthwhile signing, or two! COYS

Is this a wind up ?

 

[Wsussexspur]

they have a decent scalp already (fenebache) and will be at a better level of match fitness and have an astro turf pitch! I don't think we can afford to be too casual about it...

Thats exactly how I feel about this game. Its the draw we all wanted but lets not undestimate them. I do think that the Fenebache result will help us not do that! The major concern to me is the astro turf pitch. It is a major advantage for them! Glad though we get that out the way in the first game.

 

[mil1lion]

Pavlyuchenko should be used to artificial pitches. Lets pin all our hope on him for the away game.

 

[Wsussexspur]

Sure like a lot of people have done since the draw ive just watched the highlights of there game against Fenerbache. They are good technical team and attack with real pace. Seems like most of there attacking play goes through Henri Bienvenu Nstama who looks very quick. Hopefully though Bassong and BAE will know all about him. Granted it was only a 5 minute video but i was impressed with what i saw of them and we could be in trouble if we underestimate them. However at the same time they certainly are a team we should be beating and as ive said before if we dont then we really dont deserve to be in the champions league group stages.

One thing I do think worth taking into account is that when they played Fenerbache they were already a week or two into there season compared to Fenerbache who were still three weeks away from the start of there season. Also in both game Fenerbache had a player sent off. Those games could have done us a big favour as it shows they are not to be taken lightly. I really believe the key to this game will be the first leg and how we do on the plastic pitch and playing at altitude.

 

[Wsussexspur]

Pavlyuchenko should be used to artificial pitches. Lets pin all our hope on him for the away game.

Very good point didnt think of that. Be surprised if Ledley plays. Cant imagine the pitch will be very good for his knees!