Servette Geneva suffered a setback in their preparation for the upcoming match against Ludogorets in the Conference League. They were defeated 2-1 by Yverdon in their Championship away game, marking their first loss in 15 rounds.
The game started well for Servette, with Alexi Antyun scoring in the 20th minute and the team dominating the match. However, their fortunes quickly changed when Enzo Crivelli, a French forward for Servette, received a straight red card in the 27th minute for a reckless tackle on Gunnarsson. The referee made the decision after consulting the video assistant referee (VAR). This incident was followed by mistakes from Gael Ondua and goalkeeper Joel Malle, which allowed Kevin Carlos to equalize for the hosts.
In the second half, Antoni Sottier scored for Yverdon, securing the victory for his team. In added time, Servette's Ioan Severin received a second yellow card, resulting in the team finishing the match with only 9 players on the field.
Servette's coach, René Weiler, expressed his frustration with Crivelli's action, which left his team with a numerical disadvantage. He criticized the player for committing the foul in an area of the field where such incidents should never occur.
Weiler also voiced his criticism of the management, highlighting the challenges his team faces. Two players, Steve Rouye and David Doulin, are currently sidelined due to injuries. Additionally, two key players left the team during the winter transfer window. Weiler emphasized the importance of integrating the three new signings into the team once they are eligible to play.
Despite the loss, Servette missed an opportunity to close the gap on league leaders Young Boys, who drew against Lugano. They remain in second place, now trailing Young Boys by 7 points.
Looking ahead, Servette's focus shifts to the first leg of their Conference League match against Ludogorets on February 15th in Geneva. This loss and the absence of their latest signing, Takuma Nishimura, who is not yet eligible to participate in European tournaments, may pose additional challenges for the team as they face the Bulgarian side.
As Servette regroups and prepares for their upcoming clash, they will be aiming to bounce back from this defeat and regain their winning form. The setback in the league should serve as motivation for the team to rectify their mistakes and showcase their abilities on the European stage against Ludogorets.
The encounter with Ludogorets presents an opportunity for Servette to prove themselves and advance in the Conference League. Despite the recent loss and the absence of some key players, they will be determined to put up a strong performance and secure a positive result. With the support of their fans in Geneva, Servette will look to maximize their strengths and overcome the challenges that lie ahead.