Young Boys took a significant step towards securing a spot in the UEFA Champions League group stage with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Turkish giants Galatasaray in the first leg of their play-off tie on Wednesday evening. The match, played at the Wankdorf Stadium in Bern, saw Congolese striker Silvère Ganvoula play a decisive role, providing the crucial assist for his team’s second goal.
Young Boys wasted no time asserting their dominance, with Joel Quintero opening the scoring in just the fourth minute of the match.
The Swiss side capitalized on Galatasaray’s sluggish start, and Quintero’s early strike put the hosts in the driver’s seat.
The early momentum carried into the second half, where Ganvoula’s influence became evident.
In the 49th minute, the 28-year-old forward, known for his physical presence and sharp vision, linked up with Quintero once again.
With an incisive pass that sliced through the Galatasaray defense, Ganvoula set up Quintero to double Young Boys’ advantage, sending the home fans into a frenzy.
The Congolese international’s assist was the culmination of sustained pressure from the Swiss team, which appeared in control for much of the match.
However, Galatasaray, a side with rich European pedigree, were not to be easily subdued.
Just minutes after falling 2-0 behind, the Turkish club pulled a goal back through Belgian striker Michy Batshuayi.
The former Chelsea forward’s strike in the 55th minute gave Galatasaray a lifeline, reigniting their hopes of turning the tie around in the second leg.
Batshuayi’s goal shifted the momentum, and Galatasaray applied increased pressure in the closing stages, though Young Boys managed to hold firm to secure the win.
Ganvoula’s assist marked another standout moment in what has already been a strong start to the 2024-2025 season for the Congolese forward.
Known as “The Red Devil” in reference to his international duties with Congo Brazzaville, Ganvoula has been in impressive form since the beginning of the campaign.
In five matches across all competitions, he has contributed three goals and one assist, underscoring his importance to the Young Boys squad.
His goalscoring record in the Swiss Super League has also been impressive, with all three of his goals coming in just four league appearances.
Wednesday’s assist in the Champions League play-off added further weight to his growing reputation as a key attacking force for the Swiss side.
As Young Boys head into the second leg of the tie, set to be played in Istanbul, they will need to rely on the likes of Ganvoula to maintain their advantage and secure qualification to Europe’s most prestigious club competition.
However, Galatasaray’s away goal, courtesy of Batshuayi, means that the tie is far from over, and Young Boys will face a tough test in Turkey, where Galatasaray’s passionate home crowd could play a pivotal role.
For now, though, Ganvoula’s decisive contribution has put Young Boys in a promising position, giving them the upper hand as they prepare for what is sure to be a fiercely contested second leg.
With his form continuing to soar, both in the domestic league and in Europe, the Congolese striker will undoubtedly be a player to watch as Young Boys aim to return to the Champions League group stages.
The second leg of the play-off will take place next week, where both teams will battle it out for a place among Europe’s elite.
