(Translated by Thomas Snaith)

Before the Game:

Last Saturday one decision in the Raiffeisen Super League has been made: BSC Young Boys celebrated a 2:1 victory against Luzern and therefore also the Swiss Championship. Congratulations to YB on winning the Swiss league.

Basel´s home game against FC Thun offered them the opportunity to secure 2nd place in the Swiss Super League table. Raphael Wicky´s team was ready to grab their chance with a 4-3-3 line up. Geoffroy Serey who was recently missing due to illness was back. Fabian Frei didn´t play in midfield but in a defensive role and Léo Lacroix took a seat on the bench. Valentin Stocker who was banned against Sion was back and Kevin Bua was also on the bench. Neftali Manzambi replaced Michael Lang in defense (right side) and celebrated his debut in the starting lineup.

The First half:

FCB kicked  the fixture off in great fashion; Valentin Stocker scored the opener for the home team in the 7th minute. Stocker scored with his weaker left foot, from just outside of the penalty box. The positive start pushed FCB to score another; This time Fabian Frei set up number 10, Samuele Campo with a great pass, leading to another goal for FCB. Campo scored from short distance, resulting in his first goal of the season. FC Basel 1893 took advantage of the space provided, elevating the team, resulting in several chances..

Just before the end of the first half the visitors scored. Dejan Sorgic scored 1:2 supported by Mateo Tosetti´s assist. During the half time break, the “FCB-Rookies of the Year” and FCB- Top Team of the Year” were announced, presented by the Basler Kantonalbank (premium Partner). These awards have been  presented for the 8th consecutive year.

The second half:

It didn’t take long after the 2nd half kicked off before FCB were able to celebrate again: Neftal Manzambi scored a cracking goal from a distance. His first goal in Switzerland’s top league and 3:1 for FCB. Ten minutes later Basel´s Dutchman Ricky van Wolfswinkel netted the 4:1. The fixture had been decided but not over. Albian Ajeti who was substituted on, scored two, securing FCB´s highest victory of the season. Towards the end of the 90 minutes, FC Thun nearly scored for but Manzambi´s header prevented Nicolas Hunziker from celebrating.

After the game:

The victory against Thun secured FCB with the 2nd place in the Super League table, which means that the remaining 4 fixtures have no influence on Basel´s final ranking in the table. FC Basel´s solid performance and spectacular game was great advertising for the team and club. Two reserve players scored their first goals for the club, which mixes things up and provides suspense for next season and fixtures to come. “Neftal Manzambi scored two and prevented one“, stated Wicky after the game. „He played well.”

Wicky´s praise was directed towards the entire team: “I just witnessed a great performance by team. We were in control, remained calm and were highly concentrated for 90 minutes. We also had quite a few impressive offensive attempts towards goal. We will approach the remaining four fixtures with the same levels of energy, passion and joy for the game”. The beginning of the end of the season starts with our next fixture, away in St. Gallen (Kybunpark), next Sunday.

Match report:

FC Basel 1893 – FC Thun 6:1 (2:1)

St. Jakob-Park. – 25‘229 Supporters. – Referee Sandro Schärer.

Goals: 7. Stocker 1:0 (Petretta). 13. Campo (Frei). 40. Sorgic 2:1 (Tosetti). 47. Manzambi 3:1 (Zuffi). 57. van Wolfswinkel 4:1 (Campo). 75. Ajeti 5:1 (Elyounoussi). 86. Ajeti 6:1 (Oberlin).

FCB: Vaclik; Manzambi, Suchy, Frei, Petretta; Serey Die (46. Riveros), Campo, Zuffi; Stocker (76. Oberlin), van Wolfswinkel (67. Ajeti), Elyounoussi

FCT: Faivre; Kablan, Gelmi, Righetti, Facchinetti; Lauper, Hediger, Karlen (80. Huser); Tosetti (Ferreira), Sorgic, Spielmann (69. Hunziker)

Notes: FCB without Salvi, Vailati and Xhaka (all injured) and Lang (banned). FCT without Bigler, Bürky, Costanzo, Nikolic (all injured) and Glarner (banned). Substitutes FCB: Ajeti, Antonio, Balanta, Bua, Lacroix, Oberlin and Riveros. – Yellow Cards: 49. van Wolfswinkel. 58. Gelmi.– 21. Hit the post Suchy. 89. Manzambi rettet cleares the ball from the line after a shot on target by Hunizker.

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