UEFA.com works better on other browsers
For the best possible experience, we recommend using Chrome, Firefox or Microsoft Edge.

Young Boys v Skënderbeu background

Neither Young Boys nor Skënderbeu can reach the knockout phase, but the Swiss side will be hoping to end their disappointing Group B campaign with a first victory.

Skënderbeu's Bajram Jashanica (left) in action with Nicolas Moumi Ngamaleu of Young Boys
Skënderbeu's Bajram Jashanica (left) in action with Nicolas Moumi Ngamaleu of Young Boys ©AFP/Getty Images

Neither Young Boys nor Skënderbeu can reach the knockout phase, but the Swiss side will be hoping to end their disappointing Group B campaign with a first victory.

• The Albanian team, who overcame group leaders Dynamo Kyiv 3-2 at home last time out, will finish third if they avoid defeat. In terms of points gained – five – this is already their most successful performance in a European group stage.

Previous meetings
• The two clubs cancelled each other out in their first meeting, drawing 1-1 in Elbasan on matchday two. Gambian forward Ali Sowe gave Skënderbeu the lead midway through the second half, only for Young Boys to equalise through Ivorian striker Roger Assalé seven minutes later.

• Albanian clubs are yet to win in five UEFA encounters with Swiss counterparts: D2 L3.

Form guide
• Young Boys registered score draws in each of their first three Group B matches but have lost the last two, their hopes of further progress extinguished by a 2-1 defeat at Partizan on matchday five. They are without a win in seven European fixtures (D3 L4).

• Skenderbëu have lost three of their six European away matches this season (W1 D2), including both group stage fixtures on the road, which means they are yet to claim a point away from home in five UEFA Europa League group games.

• Beaten home and away by CSKA Moskva in the UEFA Champions League play-offs, Young Boys are contesting the UEFA Europa League group stage for a fifth time. They have made it through twice before – in 2010/11 and 2014/15.

• Domestic cup runners-up last term, Skënderbeu were the first Albanian side to contest a major UEFA group stage when they figured in the 2015/16 UEFA Europa League. Their group record that season was W1 L5.

Highlights: Skënderbeu 1-1 Young Boys

Links and trivia
• The journey from Elbasan, where Skënderbeu are playing their European home fixtures, to Berne is around 1,200km.

• Young Boys boast Albanian international talent in the form of winger Taulan Sulejmanov.

• Skënderbeu's Kosovan defender Fidan Aliti started his career in Switzerland, playing for Old Boys (2011–13) and Luzern (2013–15).

• Skënderbeu are one of three teams to have reached the UEFA Europa League group stage having begun their campaign in the first qualifying round; Maccabi Tel-Aviv and Crvena zvezda are the others.

• Skënderbeu goalkeeper Orges Shehi is the ninth player over the age of 40 to have played in the UEFA Europa League and the oldest participant in this season's competition.

The coaches
• Austrian coach Adi Hütter has been in charge of Young Boys since September 2015. A midfielder who spent the bulk of his career with Salzburg, he returned to lead the club to a domestic double in 2014/15 after managerial spells at Altach and Grödig.

• Appointed in January 2017, Ilir Daja led Skënderbeu to the Albanian Cup final, which they lost to KF Tirana, and then steered them into this group stage. A former midfielder with Tirana, he has guided Elbasan and Dinamo Tirana to domestic championships as a coach.