On December 15, 2024, at Wankdorf Stadium, the Young Boys of Bern secured a much-needed victory against Servette FC, triumphing 2-1. This match was particularly emotional as both teams took to the field mourning the tragic loss of Meschack Elia's young son, with Servette players wearing his number 15 shirt and fans observing a minute of silence.
The match marked the end of the first half of the Swiss Super League season, with the Young Boys needing to end their recent poor run of form on a high note. The excitement began early when Servette took the lead just 6 minutes in. Dereck Kutesa showcased his skill with a brilliant solo effort, effortlessly maneuvering past Young Boys’ defender Sandro Lauper before finishing with his left foot from outside the box. This goal marked Kutesa's eleventh of the season, placing him among the league’s top scorers and sending 29,215 fans momentarily wild, many of whom were dressed as part of their team’s festive Escalade tradition.
Despite Servette’s promising start, they would find themselves under pressure as the match progressed. The Young Boys, who have faced considerable adversity throughout the season, managed to equalize shortly before halftime. Darian Males, capitalizing on the momentum shift, scored his first goal after receiving assistance from Cédric Itten. The 37th-minute goal restored hope for the Bernese, bringing them back to 1-1 just before the break.
Both teams returned from halftime with renewed energy, but it was Males again who turned the tide for the Young Boys just seconds after the restart. This time, Males, who had emerged as the match’s standout player, found the back of the net with his second goal. Marking the 46th minute, Males redirected Sandro Lauper’s shot, which had been headed toward the Servette goal following confusion on the corner defense, putting the Young Boys up 2-1. Servette struggled to regain their earlier form and faced mounting pressure from their opponents.
Relentless as they were, Servette pressed hard to return to level terms, continuously searching for opportunities to exploit weaknesses in the Young Boys' defense. Nevertheless, the Bernese defense, led by goalkeeper David von Ballmoos, displayed resilience. Several key saves helped maintain their advantage, and as the minutes ticked down, Servette's frustration grew. They did manage to create one last significant chance with Jérémy Guillemenot, whose shot hit the post, denying Servette another chance to equalize.
With the defeat, Servette left the field underwhelmed, finishing the year with only one win from their last seven matches. Coach Thomas Häberli faced mounting scrutiny as the team headed to their winter break, now outside the championship race. The need for reinforcements during the January transfer window became glaring, as the team missed players including the suspended Timothé Cognat and injured Alexis Antunes, leaving them dangerously thin on options.
On the other hand, this win for the Young Boys revitalized their push for the top positions as they tightened the gap between them and the sixth place. Though they have endured challenges, including the loss of key players, they ended the first half of the season with optimism. Young Boys' interim coach Joël Magnin has been encouraged by his team’s performance, especially from Males, who earned the man-of-the-match accolades not just for his goals but also for his effort and teamwork.
This match highlighted the contrasting trajectories of the two clubs. Young Boys could dream of challenging for the championship as they came off this victory, whereas Servette faced the uncertain task of reclaiming their footing as they aim for consistency. Though still within the top-performing clubs at the start of the season, the pressure mounts on Servette to regain their rhythm as they prepare to resume training and look toward their upcoming fixtures.
