Ex-Rangers striker Cedric Itten gets a rude Champions League awakening as Young Boys are dumped by a Xavi Simons inspired RB Leipzig.
The big Swiss international striker is a player reborn since returning to his homeland last season and alongside his exploits with the national side helped fire the team to the group stages.
Last year’s Swiss Super League champions, Young Boys qualified for the tournament via the Champions path with Cedric Itten opening the scoring in a 3-0 win over Maccabi Haifa.
But just like so many other teams do, Cedric Itten and his Young Boys teammates got a rude awakening when RB Leipzig and Xavi Simons, once linked to Rangers, rolled into town.
The little Dutch magician – who is on loan from PSG – was instrumental as the German side played out a 3-1 victory in Switzerland.
Mohamed Simakan opened the scoring for RB Leipzig after only three minutes before Young Boys rallied with an equaliser through Meschak Elia around 10 minutes before half time.
However, the Swiss side’s resolve would eventually be broken in the second half with RB Leipzig taking the lead through Xavier Schlager and finishing the game off through Benjamin Sesko.
Cedric Itten and Young Boys dealt Champions League blow
Cedric Itten was unable to exert any real influence on the game for Young Boys and was substituted on the 70th mark for Silvere Ganvoula M’boussy.
It’s rude awakening for both BSC Young Boys and Cedric Itten, with the Champions League an increasingly difficult arena for these types of clubs to compete.
It’s not going to get any easier either, with current Champions League holders Manchester City and Serbian outfit Red Star Belgrade to come.
Rangers stumbled in Champions League qualification through the alternative path reserved for the teams who are not the winners of their domestic divisions.
Dutch outfit PSV Eindhoven proved too stern a test for Michael Beale’s new-look Bears and now the club is looking at a season in the Europa League.
