In a straight shootout for the Champions League, Maccabi Haifa will host Young Boys in the final round of qualifying. The Swiss counterparts now compete in Europe’s elite club competition. The hosts, who advanced through qualification last season, began their campaign in the first round.
Preview (Maccabi Haifa vs Young Boys)
There is only one more step between Maccabi Haifa and a return to the Champions League group stage. They defeated Slovan Bratislava in both halves of their third qualifying-round matchup. The Israeli club had mixed results in Group H last season. They lost 7-2 and 6-1 shortly after making history by defeating Juventus. They having experienced the big time, they are now eager to secure another spot in the autumn action. The group also included Paris Saint-Germain and Benfica. Messay Dego’s team began their journey by defeating Hamrun Spartans, a newcomer to the Champions League. They then beat Sheriff of Moldova and Slovan later on.
Frantzdy Pierrot and Dia Saba scored goals in both halves to help Haifa defeat the latter earlier this month. They advance to the playoff round with a 5-2 aggregate victory. The Israeli Premier League is yet to begin. The Greens have already defeated Beitar Jerusalem 3-1 in the Super Cup. Last weekend’s 2-0 victory against Maccabi Petah Tikva gave them a position in the Toto Cup final. Young Boys have yet to play in the Champions League this summer before their journey to the Sammy Ofer Stadium.
The Bern-based team, led by former Chicago Fire manager Raphael Wicky, departed the Europa Conference League playoffs to Anderlecht this time last year after finishing fourth in Group F of the Champions League two years ago, behind Atalanta BC, Villarreal, and Manchester United. By dominating the Super League last season, the Swiss champions won their 16th league title. After four rounds of the 2023–24 season, they have won two games and drawn two others. They are still unbeaten. Young Boys recently defeated Breitenrain to advance to the Swiss Cup’s second round with a 5-0 score. It included goals from well-known players Cedric Itten and Jean-Pierre Nsame.
Team News
Maccabi Haifa recently completed the signing of former Lille midfielder Show to bolster their club for the playoff stage, but a recognizable starting lineup should take the field on Wednesday at Sammy Ofer Stadium. The hosts’ defense four is commanded by Israel international Sean Goldberg, with Ali Mohamed, Mahmoud Jaber, and captain Tjaronn Chery in midfield (all three of whom provided three assists in the second leg against Slovan Bratislava). Frantzdy Pierrot and Dia Saba, a forward duo, are Haifa’s top goal threat in attack. Veteran playmaker Lior Refaelov, who recently made the Greens after a protracted stint in Belgium, is one of Messay Dego’s backup options.
While Saidy Janko’s return to Switzerland may have been the most significant addition to Young Boys’ summer transfer activity, defensive stalwart Cedric Zesiger left for Wolfsburg. Sandro Lauper and goalkeeper David von Ballmoos are unlikely to be among the visitors, but they have both resumed training since suffering from separate knee ailments, and the latter played in last week’s Swiss Cup game. Jean-Pierre Nsame and ex-Rangers striker Cedric Itten ought to team up upfront after Nsame scored twice against Breitenrain after coming on as a substitute in the second half.
Since both teams have strong offensive capabilities and will be eager to take the first-leg lead, Haifa might see multiple goals scored. The teams appear to be quite evenly matched, therefore whoever maintains their composure in the championship game the following week may decide the outcome.
Maccabi Haifa 2 – 2 Young Boys
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