And Basel beat Valencia 3:0 in the first leg! Much improved over the Salzburg series although here too there were a couple of moments with some luck - but who cares with that score. Great third goal by Stocker. There is still work to be done in Spain but that is quite a start! Delgado finally delivering with two goals.
http://www.goal.com/en-ca/match/133150/basel-vs-valencia-cf/report Good match review. The amazing thing to me was how well Basel played without some injured starters. A win in Spain would be great. Has a Swiss team ever won in Spain?
good question - of course, I remember when Favre's Servette eliminated Zaragoza, but this was with an away draw... I remember Basel drew at Atletico in the 70s and drew at Barcelona a few years ago GC drew at Sociedad in the 70s and eliminated Real Madrid on away goals in 78 FCZ eliminated Barcelona in 60s, but by losing 1-0 abroad
oh dear, Basel's injury list gets longer again - now Stocker and Ph. Degen are also out. At least Suchy and Sio are available again as they were suspended in the first leg... why are so many players injured - because of the short summer preparation?
I think it is that they have already played 28 league games, plus 4 cup matches, plus 12 UEFA matches, plus friendlies. Everyone is gunning for them every week.
I hope that a 3 goal advantage is enough. Should be fun to watch at least. Lets hope they can steal one on a counterattack early and kill off the game.
Valencia scores in the 38', stadium erupts. The midfield did not close down quick enough and allowed Valencia to make a great pass, Sommer slipped a little, but from about 10 yards out, not many pros are going to miss. Wow, that stadium is loud!
In the 41' Vargas had a great shot saved by Somme, out for a Corner kick. On the ensuing corner Vargas scored. 2-0 (2-3 exaggerate).
Wow! As good as Basel looked last week against a listless Valencia, this match is totally opposite. Basel has almost no possession at all. They are going on counters, but instead of trying to control the match some, they go for a quick shot. This is giving Valencia all the time that they want/need.
Basel looked reasonably in control and halftime was less than 10 min away. Now down two goals they will face one hell of a second half. I think Basel has to score, otherwise Valencia will wear them down eventually.
Valencia extremely close now. Really missing Stocker out there. Sio on for Delgado. Good move by Yakin, it hasn't been Delgado's game...
3-0 Valencia and we are into overtime. Basel under severe pressure in the second half, barely escaping elimination in regulation as Valencia missed a one-on-one against Sommer just before the end. Surviving another 30 min is going to be brutal. Basel looking like a MLS team in Mexico (sorry Rob ) [Edit] At the 105th minute and two red cards later (Diaz, Sauro) a penalty shootout never sounded more appealing.
And it ends 5-0 Valencia. It was inevitable really, if you weaken yourself that much in extra time (in particular Sauro's red card was really stupid) you can't force luck on your side if ability fails you. Schaer not looking good on the fourth and deciding goal, he should not be beaten near the post. Oh well, never expected Basel to get past Valencia after the draw but if you win the first leg 3-0 you have to be smarter defending that lead. Here is hoping they are plenty crushed returning to the league.
They did look like a MLS squad away to a Mexican squad. Stocker was really missed out there. I think that would have done a world of help to have some control on the ball. It seemed that each time they went forward, there was little attempt to keep the ball. Too bad. It seems like the streak will continue of a Swiss team not being able to win in Spain. How can Valencia be this good in Europe, but so poor in their domestic league?