What We Know About Sion’s Squad, Noah’s Conference League Opponents Today

Noah will face Swiss side Sion in the Conference League today. The main strength of the Armenian champions’ opponents is their cohesion: most of the first-team players have been together for several years, while many of them helped the club earn promotion from Switzerland’s second tier to the Super League.

At the same time, Sion have a relatively thin bench, which means their coaching staff make very few changes to the starting line-up. All four first-choice defenders have featured in each of the team’s four matches this season, both in the domestic championship and the Conference League.

There are few, if any, equivalent replacements in defence. The Swiss side will also be without Kosovo defender Kreshnik Hajrizi, who was a regular starter last season but is currently injured.

The situation is similar in central midfield. Edgar Kabakalman and Baltazar have virtually no alternatives and are carrying a significant workload. Sion have slightly more options in attack, but there is a major absence there as well: Benjamin Kololli, who recorded seven goals and two assists last season, is unavailable.

Sion’s Key Players

Sion’s main creative force is Ilyas Chouaref. The Malta international is now entering his fifth season with the club. He registered nine goals and eight assists in the previous league campaign. According to Transfermarkt, his market value is €4 million.

The team’s most valuable player and first-choice striker is Winsley Boteli. He has made an impressive start to the current season, recording three goals and one assist. The forward has therefore contributed a goal or an assist in each of Sion’s four matches.

Boteli spent last season on loan at Sion before the Swiss club signed him permanently from Borussia Mönchengladbach for €3.5 million this summer.

In Germany, the 20-year-old Swiss forward played for Borussia’s reserve team. He made four appearances alongside Armenian striker Grant-Leon Ranos. Ranos scored three goals in those matches, while Boteli found the net only three times in 25 appearances across the entire season. The Sion striker is now valued at €5 million.

Sion also have another dangerous forward in the tall Kosovo striker Rilind Nivokazi, who finished last season with 13 goals and five assists.

Sion’s Strengths and Weaknesses

Sion’s formation and starting line-up are relatively predictable, as it is usually clear which players will take the field. On the one hand, they are a well-drilled team with a powerful attacking line. On the other hand, any injury or suspension could cause serious problems because of their limited squad depth.

Noah face an extremely difficult test, but the Swiss club do have weaknesses. The lack of meaningful rotation could lead to fatigue among the defenders and central midfielders. Sion are also missing one of last season’s regular defenders, while their full-back areas do not appear impenetrable.

Their 4–2 defeat to Young Boys also demonstrated that Sion’s defence can be broken down.

Noah’s main objective will be to contain the Swiss side’s powerful attack. The Armenian champions must withstand the early pressure, remain disciplined in defence and try to take advantage of their opponents’ limited squad depth.