Manchester United suffered a stoppage-time 2-1 defeat away to BSC Young Boys after a calamitous defensive mistake by Jesse Lingard in their UEFA Champions League opener in Bern, with the United States forward Jordan Pefok netting the winner.
The 2021-22 Champions League season had one of the best starts the competition has seen in ages as the Young Boys from Switzerland stunned Ole and his men with a goal through the last ball of the match to win the tie 2-1.
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Cristiano Ronaldo was back scoring goals for Man United in the Champions League after 18 years since scoring his last one for the Red Devils. His early goal put the team from England 1-0 ahead after a stunning curled pass from Bruno Fernandes which Ronaldo tapped home at the back post from close range. But things took a different route for the Devils in the 35th minute when Aaron Wan-Bissaka picked up a red card for his reckless challenge on Young Boys’ Christopher Martins.
With a one-goal advantage, Man United made a lot of defensive changes by taking off Jadon Sancho and Donny Van de Beek to be replaced by Dalot and Varane. With Young Boys keeping United under pressure it was evident that an equalizer was on its way. In the 66th minute of the game, Nicolas Ngamaleu scored to make things level. Silvan Hefti’s low cross from the right flicked up nicely for Ngamelu who toe-poked it at the near post.
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After the equalizer, Ole thought of settling for a draw as he took out the Portuguese duo of Ronaldo and Fernandes to be replaced by Lingard and Matic, which was the worst thing Ole could’ve done in that situation in hindsight. In the stoppage time, Jordan Pefok pounced on a loose backpass by Jesse Lingard to make it 2 – 1 on the night and take all three points.
With this victory, BSC Young Boys are currently on top of Group F with three points and behind them are Atlanta and Villarreal who drew 2-2 last night and in fourth spot is Manchester United.
[Image Credit: BSC Young Boys]
Shashank Iyer