FC Sion clinched their third consecutive victory by edging past Yverdon Sport with a 1-0 scoreline on Saturday, marking a significant turnaround as they wrap up 2024 on a positive note.
The game unfolded at the Municipal Stadium, and for Sion, the match was pivotal as they sought to solidify their position near the top half of the leaderboard. Théo Bouchlarhem emerged as the hero, scoring the only goal of the match after 24 minutes, capitalizing on defensive errors from the home team.
Yverdon's Mohamed Tijani mishandled the ball during clearance, which allowed Ilyas Chouaref to seize the opportunity and pass it to Théo Berdayes. Berdayes laid it off perfectly for Bouchlarhem, who slotted it home uncontested, handing Sion the lead. This goal was Bouchlarhem's first of the season in the Super League, showcasing his potential and importance to the side.
Despite starting brightly, Yverdon struggled to recover from the early setback. Coach Alessandro Mangiarratti expressed his disappointment post-match, highlighting the lack of energy and commitment from several players. “I don’t know how we come with so little energy. We felt ready, but the first five minutes were concerning,” he lamented.
Yverdon had been on the back foot since the early stages, and even though they found some rhythm after the break, they were unable to convert their opportunities. A notable moment came when Boris Céspedes hit the crossbar with a stunning free kick, which could have leveled the game. Although they pressed for the equalizer, the final moments saw Yverdon's attempts thwarted by Sion's solid defense.
Timothy Fayulu, Sion's goalkeeper, contributed to preserving the clean sheet, making remarkable saves, including one against Anthony Sauthier during injury time. His performance garnered praise, and he displayed the kind of form required to fend off Yverdon's late charge.
Meanwhile, Sion, managed by Didier Tholot, has shown impressive resilience after enduring nine consecutive games without victory earlier this season. This unbeaten streak has now seen them gather 13 points from the last 18 available, making it clear they are contenders for the upper echelons of the table.
The collective effort from Sion's players has reignited hopes for the upcoming fixtures, and Tholot has instilled confidence following the foray back to form. “We’ve got character again after what was quite the elongated tunnel,” he reflected, citing his team’s gradual improvement.
Yverdon, on the other hand, faces stark challenges as they grapple with maintaining their standing. This defeat is their fourth straight at home, leaving them precariously close to the relegation zone. It was evident from the match atmosphere, with home supporters expressing their frustration at Mangiarratti and call for changes within the squad.
Club staff remains hopeful for upcoming weeks, with players needing to step up and renew their commitment to the club's ethos as they enter the winter break. Mangiarratti has emphasized the need for self-reflection and urged his players to adopt greater humility and team spirit to secure future successes.
Heading forward, Sion will aim to build upon this momentum as they approach the post-winter season, where they hope to maintain their push for the top six. The Sédunois have turned their fortunes around, and the potential for growth appears promising.
Meanwhile, Yverdon will focus on regrouping during the winter break, with intentions to rekindle the spark necessary to avoid falling back against their rivals. The new year, they hope, will usher opportunities for redemption and opportunity to rise above the challenges faced. Addressing the season’s turnover, Mangiarratti asserted, “Some players need to bring back more humility. Success doesn’t come without hard work.”
The match capped off the year for both teams, with each club eagerly anticipating the return of action on January 19, when the league resumes. It remains to be seen how both Sion and Yverdon can capitalize on the lessons learned during this first half of the season.
