Young Boys ended Napoli’s unbeaten record in the Europa League with a 2-0 win at the Stade de Suisse in Berne on Thursday evening.
The Swiss Super League side secured a six successive home win in European competition through second-half goals by Guillaume Hoarau and Leonardo Bertone, and now join the Partenopei on six points at the top of Group I.
Young Boys
Yvon Mvogo – 6.5 – Emergent
Switzerland Under-21 goalkeeper has been first choice since long-serving captain Marco Wolfli ruptured his Achilles tendon last December, and showed great athleticism to tip away a Mertens shot on 40 minutes.
Scott Sutter – 6.5 – Tireless
Right-back who was born in England and moved to Switzerland aged 16 provided cutback from byline in build-up for the opening goal and was increasing attacking threat throughout the second-half.
Milan Vilotic – 6.5 – Fervent
Former Red Star Belgrade centre-back greatly improved after an early yellow card on his competitive debut for Young Boys.
Steve von Bergen – 7 – Venerable
Experienced former Cesena, Genoa and Palermo central defender displayed exemplary leadership anticipating attacks and winning headers.
Jan Lecjaks – 6.5 – Composed
Former Czech Republic youth international was an attacking threat from left-back particularly in the first-half.
Sekou Sanogo Junior – 7 – Strong
Summer-signing from FC Thun was an important presence sitting in front of central defence for both breaking up Napoli attacks and carrying the ball out of defence.
Milan Gajic – 6 – Graceful
Left-footed Swiss Super League journeyman formerly of FC Luzern, FC Zurich and Grasshoppers was elegant when in possession.
Renato Steffen – 7 – Expansive
Quick inverted winger was a threat particularly on the break cutting in from right side on left foot and played Bertone through on goal for the second goal.
Yuya Kubo – 6 – Youthful
20-year-old Japanese continuously conceded possession and was subjected to numerous groans from the supporters at the Stade de Suisse during the first-half, but provided an assist for the first goal in an improved second-half performance before being substituted for Bertone on 71 minutes.
Raphael Nuzzolo – 6 – Reverent
Identified by FC Schaffhausen coach Maurizio Jacobacci on Radio Kiss Kiss Napoli as ‘one to keep an eye on’, but the right-footed left-winger was unable to add to his five goals in European competition.
Guillaume Hoarau – 7 – Mobile
6′ 4″ former Paris Saint-Germain target man has now scored 3 goals in opening 3 Europa League group games and showed excellent movement constantly drifting into wide positions.
Substitutes
Leonardo Bertone (71 mins) – 6.5 – Composed
20-year-old defensive midfielder of Salerno descent who has progressed through the Young Boys youth structure sealed the win with a assured finish when put through on goal in additional time.
Alain Rochat (86 mins)- N/A
Napoli
Rafael Cabral – 5.5 – Unsighted
24-year-old goalkeeper was unsighted by Henrique for the opening goal and was exposed one on one against Bertone for the second.
Christian Maggio – 6 – Dynamic
Omitted from the starting eleven against Inter on Sunday, was at his best as an attacking threat showing his characteristic tenacity and stamina overlapping on the right side.
Henrique – 5 – Doubtful
Versatile defender has been underused since returning from the 2014 World Cup with Brazil and will be disappointed that he was unable to close Hoarau down quicker as the ball went through his legs for the first goal.
Raul Albiol – 5.5 – Assured
Spanish central defender was calm and composed on his 64th appearance in European competition but was unable to prevent defeat.
Faouzi Ghoulam – 5 – Errant
Naturally left footed full-back provides much needed width on the left side but often wasted attacking opportunities in a performance that strayed from his usual standards since joining Napoli in January.
Gokhan Inler – 6 – Composed
Calm in possession but the Swiss national team captain was unable to test Mvogo after recently being advised by agent Dino Lamberti on Radio Crc that he ‘should score a few more goals’.
Jorginho – 5 – Indifferent
Unable to influence game on his inaugural Europa League appearance and was shown a yellow card for cynically stopping Sanogo Junior when on a powerful forward run.
Jonathan de Guzman – 5 – Uncomfortable
Summer-signing from Villarreal is struggling to find his role in the Napoli team as he looked uncomfortable on the right-side of three behind Zapata.
Michu – 4.5 – Disappointing
28-year-old Spaniard on-loan from Swansea City scored 4 goals in 7 appearances in the Europa League last season, but failed to make the most of a starting opportunity and was substituted for Hamsik after 62 minutes.
Dries Mertens – 6 – Catalyst
The fast, clever winger was Napoli’s main attacking threat and looked most likely to score.
Duvan Zapata – 5.5 – Raw
23-year-old Colombian held the ball up well particularly in the first-half, but was unable to create any notable scoring opportunities.
Substitutes
Marek Hamsik (62 mins) – 6 – Earnest
Napoli captain looked to make a positive impression in the final thirty minutes after a number of recent disappointing displays.
Jose Callejon (75 mins) – 6 – Incisive
In-form wide man was denied a wonderful leveller on 80 minutes for marginal offside decision after being found at far post by excellent ball over the top by Inler.
Gonzalo Higuain (84 mins) – N/A
