On Monday, 11. September 2017, FC Basel 1893 completed their final training session ahead of their 1st UEFA Champions League fixture of the season. Check out the video of FCB´s training session and pre-match interview with Raphael Wicky.
(Translated by Thomas Snaith)
On Tuesday night FCB kick off their 2017/2018 UEFA Champions League campaign with a cracking fixture! Manchester United vs. FC Basel 1893. In the past few seasons ManU may not have won that many titles, and may not have been considered to be as strong as they have been in the past, but recently the “Red Devils” have been playing top level football. Since 2013 Manchester United have been waiting for their next Premier League title. Their last title was followed by 7th, 4th, 5th and 6th place in the league, whilst rivals Manchester City, Chelsea or Leicester celebrated victory.
By winning the Europa League in 2017, José Mourinho, who has won the Champions League with both Porto and Chelsea in the past, directed international attention towards Manchester United. The start to the Premier League has been successful so far; 3 wins and one draw, 12:2 goal difference. On Tuesday night, it will be interesting to see how FCB will cope against an in form ManU at Old Trafford. The current team is full of star players, such as Romelu Lukaku (Bel), who has scored 4 goals in 4 games. He will be sure to mess with FCB´s defense. French playmaker Paul Pogba has scored on 2 occasions this season, but it has been no other than Lakaku who has scored ½ of all ManU´s goals this season.
Coach José Mourinho expects it to be „a difficult game against FCB“, despite ManU being very self-confident and the favourites on the night. Being considered favourites doesn´t mean that much when playing Champions League football, especially as FC Basel have positive memories of Manchester United- and Mourinho: Basel played ManU in 2011 and drew 3:3 (away), as won at St. Jakob Park 2:1. Basel´s victory is one of the most memorable victories, ever at St. Jakob Park, kicking ManU out of the Champions League. Nine years earlier, during FCB´s 1st Champions League campaign, the scores ended 1:1 away and 1:3 at home.
José Mourinho before the fixture: „ With Chelsea I lost against FC Basel on two occasions, but we still qualified for the next round…and that’s what counts. Another story to tell about Manchester United and FCB.. Basel played well eliminated ManU. We are aware that this club can hurt us again, even in our own stadium. We will do our best to prevent this from happening.”
De Gea; Valencia, Smalling, Lindelöf, Blind; Fellaini, Matić, Pogba; Mata, Rashford; Lukaku.
Injured: Jones, Bailly (both banned), Rojo, Ibrahimović, Shaw, Young, Wilson (all injured). Not sure: Fellani. On FCB´s side the only injured palyer is Geoffroy Serey Die. All other players are ready for action.
12.09.2017
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