For the last game of the season coach Wicky made a few changes compared to the fixture against FC Zürich. Valentin Stocker who was suspended against FC Zurich replaced Kevin Bua and suspended Balanta was replaced by Marek Suchy (returning back from injury). Raoul Petretta replaced injured Luca Zuffi and Michael Lang was back in his old position after he was replaced by Neftali Manzambi when FCB played FCZ the week before.
The visiting team made a short notice change to their starting lineup: Ruben Vergas was not able to play and was replaced by Francisco Rodriguez.
First half:
After nine minutes of play the visitors scored. Francisco Rodriguez´s corner kick found Marvin Schulz at the far post, who just had to tap the ball into the net. FCB reacted well, scoring 10 minutes later. Valentin Stocker crossed the ball to Michael Lang who set up Mohamed Elyounoussi to score. The rest of the fixture was action packed and a game worth watching. Both teams created several chances but no more goals were scored.
Second Half:
Rain Rain Rain…and FC Luzern´s performance at the beginning of the 2nd half was stronger than that of FCB. The team from central Switzerland showed up in front of goal, but were not able to challenge FCB keeper Tomas Vaclik. The longer the 2nd half, the stronger the home team performed. After Albian Ajeti scored a cracker in 82nd minute, wacking the ball into the top right corner, with his weaker left foot, not many would have thought that FC Luzern would come back to score the equalizer. Luzern were awarded a corner kick which was headed behind the line ex Basel player Pascal Schürpf.
After the game:
FCB was able to celebrate at least one title: Albian Ajeti scored 17 goals this season, making him the top scorer of the Raiffeisen Super League 2017/2018. BSC Young Boy´s Guillaume Hoarau scored 15 this season, putting him in 2nd place. Davide Callà played for the last 20 minutes of the fixture, which were his last minutes of football for FC Basel and Noah Okafor replaced injured Mohammed Eylounoussi after 30 minutes, celebrating his debut for FCB´s 1st team. Okafor was surely satisfied with his first performance, nearly scoring in the 82nd minute, but his shot was saved by Jonas Omlin. “ He made a positive impression and has loads of potential. He well be given support from the older players, so that the pressure won’t lie on the shoulders of the younger players next season.” Wicky wasn’t able to comment on Elyounoussi´s injury, but is sure that it was nothing too serious.
It was the first time since the Swiss Super League was introduced that FCB ended the last game of the season with a draw. Wicky summarized the fixture: “We saw an attractive fixture with several chances on both sides. It was a shame that we did not give our supporters a victory for the final game of the season, especially as they are always vocally very loud and passionate during every game. This fixture was still a great end to an exciting season.” Tomorrow the season will officially end with a press conference led by sports director Marco Streller, president Bernhard Burgener and head coach Raphael Wicky (11am, Livestream on fcb.ch)
Match Report:
FC Basel 1893 – FC Luzern 2:2 (1:1)
St. Jakob-Park. – 25‘161 Supporters. – Referee Fedayi San.
Goals: 9. Schulz 1:0 (Rodriguez). 17. Elyounoussi 1:1 (Lang). 82. Ajeti 2:1 (Serey Die). 86. Schürpf 2:2 (Ugrinic).
FCB: Vaclik; Lang, Suchy, Frei, Riveros; Serey Die, Campo (71. Callà), Petretta; Stocker (78. Oberlin), Ajeti, Elyounoussi (34. Okafor).
FCL: Omlin; Grether, Schmid, Schulz (46. Knezevic), Sidler; Voca (81. Kutesa), Custodio; Rodriguez (76. Gvilia), Ugrinic, Schürpf; Demhasaj.
Notes: FCB without Lacroix, Salvi, Signori, Vailati, van Wolfswinkel, Xhaka, Zuffi (all injured) and Balanta (suspended). Substitutes FCB: Callà, Chande, Kaiser, Manzambi, Oberlin, Okafor and Pululu. – Yellow Cards: 27. Frei. – First appearance for Noah Okafor.
