The prolific striker advanced City closer to the knockout rounds of the competition by bringing his career total to 37 goals in 33 matches.
ERNING With two goals in the second half, Haaland put an end to his goal drought in the Champions League. It was his first goal in six games, and the win put Pep Guardiola’s team just one goal away from qualifying for the knockout rounds.
With a brilliantly struck penalty kick in the 67th minute, which was brutally awarded for a trip by Mohamed Camara on Rodri, the prolific striker increased his career total in the competition to 37 in 33 matches.
Additionally, he had room four minutes from time to change the ball from his left foot to his right and curl in a straightforward finish from 15 yards for his second, as the hosts pressed forward.
However, it was by no means a vintage effort from the treble champions in Bern last season, as has been the case in recent weeks.
Just two minutes into the second half, Manuel Akanji scored the first goal to mark his return to Switzerland, giving the impression that he had secured a comfortable second half for City.
After a lofted ball from Rodri reached the head of Ruben Dias, who thundered an effort against the bar, the ball fell to Akanji, who scrambled in the rebound thanks to keeper Anthony Racioppi’s outstanding save.
Less than two minutes after the game appeared to be decided by a mainly unrelenting City pressure, Haaland saw his opportunity from 20 yards out but missed the mark.
In a brilliant response, Racioppi rolled the ball straight to Cheikh Niasse, who then passed it to Meschak Elia, who darted away from Rico Lewis. With incredible poise, the midfield player finished by chipping the ball over Ederson as he advanced from the edge of the City box.
Guardiola made his team selections with the impending Manchester derby on Sunday in mind, especially since his players would be playing for ninety minutes on a synthetic pitch in Switzerland that would tax their muscles.
And the match had the makings of a difficult night for his squad when Joel Monteiro regained control and set up Filip Ugrinic for a shot that was sent straight at Ederson after thirty seconds.
Lewis and several other City stars lost their footing during the early exchanges, so the relentless rain did not assist either.
However, given the threat posed by wingers Jack Grealish and Jeremy Doku, it might have become the kind of resoundingly dominant European night that has become the norm since their last tournament loss, a semi-final loss to Real Madrid in April 2022.
In a combined 24 minutes, Grealish and Doku created space with great play, but Doku’s effort was too near to Racioppi. Additionally, Haaland was set up by Akanji a minute earlier, but he was unable to hit the far post with his attempt.
Cedric Itten had a rare opening break and fired straight at the City keeper, but Young Boys were soon back under siege and managed to escape giving up the first goal.
After Racioppi mishandled Grealish’s hard cross from the left wing, the ball struck Matheus Nunes and headed towards the goal before Loris Benito cleared it off the goal line.
Before halftime, Racioppi made excellent saves on Doku’s curling attempt and Rodri’s effort, while half-chances missed by Sandro Lauper and Itten at least gave the home team hope.
After the goals were traded, the second half was much more entertaining and open. Before City took the lead again, a swerving shot from Cedric Itten forced Ederson to make an unusual save.
However, Haaland demonstrated that he is still far from his flawless best from the previous campaign when, on minute 71, he slid in to miss an opportunity that would have ended the draw.
On minute 74, the striker appeared to have given City the victory when he set up Julian Alvarez for a third goal, but VAR disallowed the effort due to a Grealish handball.
Young Boys (4-2-3-1):
Racioppi 7; Blum 6 (Janko 80), Camara 8, Benito 7, Garcia 6 (Persson 80); Niasse 6, Lauper 6 (Males 80); Monteiro 7 (Ganvoula 73, 5), Ugrinic 7, Elia 8; Itten 6 (Nsame 73, 5). Substitutes (not used): Amenda, Lakomy, Colley, Chaiwa, von Ballmoos, Lustenberger, Marzino.
Man City (4-2-3-1):
Ederson 6; Lewis 6, Akanji 7, Dias 7, Ake 7; Kovacic 7, Rodri 8; Doku 7 (Silva 72, 6), Nunes 6 (Alvarez 72, 7), Grealish 9; Haaland 7.
Substitutes (not used): Walker, Phillips, Stones, Ortega, Gomez, Gvardiol, Carson, Foden, Bobb, Hamilton.
Referee: M Krogh (Denmark) 6.