(Translated by Thomas Snaith)
Before the game:
Marcel Koller picked the same players who played against PSV in the 1st leg fixture. Jonas Omlin, Eray Cömert, Omar Alderete and Taulant Xhaka played their third game in eight days.
It was a fantastic evening. The Muttenzerkurve started chanting and supporting us befor the game even started which gave me a great feeling before kick-off. This was the first time I experienced this in basel.
PSV-Coach Marc van Bommel also proved to be a coach that doesn’t like to mix things up too much, as his starting lineup was the same as a week ago in Eindhoven. Van Bommel did change his formation, starting with a four-man defense.
The Muttenzerkurve showed their loud support from the minute the teams started to warm up. 29´216 Supporters made their way to St.Jakob Park, nearly a full house.
The first Half:
The crowds enthusiasm quickly transferred onto the pitch. FCB was on fire as soon as the fixture kicked off. After 8 minutes Rotblau was celebrating due to Eray Cömert´s powerful freekick. The central defender wacked the ball into the top corner scoring with a mighty shot from outside of the box; what a goal!1:0. FC Basel´s early goal lifted the team up until the 20th minute, creating several chances to score a second goal.
It was neccicary to make some changes against St.Gallen as todays game involved a lot of stamina as well as physical strength.
The visitors became stronger by the minute. Hirving Lozanos´s shot just missed the target. Soon after the Dutch side launched a counter attack; Donyell Malens´cross connected with winger Bruma´s head, scoring the equalizer (1:1) in the 23rd minute. Now PSV played their strongest phase of the fixture but the last 20 minutes mainly belonged to FC Basel 1893. The referee, Fabio Verissimo made two questionable decision against the home team: First he ignored a possible handball in the box by Nick Viergevers and then decided on a freekick in favor of PSV after Albian Ajeti was held back in the penalty box.
The second half:
Both team wasted no time in getting back to business: First Steven Bergwijn hit the post then Albian Ajeti´s shot was deflected, resulting in a corner kick. More chances; Jonas Omlin blocked another Bergwijn attempt on target and Ricky van Wolfswinkel headed the ball past the goal from close range. Soon after van Wolfswinkel made up for his miss; Luca Zuffi intercepted the ball in PSV´s penalty box, passed to Stocker who directed the ball into the center, where two players missed the ball, creating space for Basel´s “Wolf” van Wolfswinkel who scored the deciding goal, 2:1!
The support of the entire crowd pushed my players to another level.
What followed were probably the longest 20 minutes in FCB´s recent history, even though FCB had the better chances of scoring another goal. The last phase of the fixture was hectic but Rotblau remained solid and concentrated eliminating any danger. After 3 minutes of added time Fabio Vermissimo blew the final whistle and St. Jakob-Park erupted with endless joy.
After the game:
After the game in Eindhoven Marcel Koller commented how important the support of the fans are for the team. His words were heard as nearly 30´000 supporters made their way to St. Jakob-Park for the return leg fixture ,passionately supporting FCB for over 90 minutes. FC Basel embraced the support on the night to successfully launch a comeback against a strong PSV after a defeat in the 1st leg. FCB played with fight & solidarity. What a great way to promote yourself in front of a big crowd and amazing atmosphere.
A little pressure is now gone but we want more. We want the Champions League.
Now FCB are not only qualified for the 3rd qualification round of the UEFA Champions League, where they face LASK, but are also qualified for the group stages of the UEFA Europa League. The latter would currently be the less attractive outcome as FC Basel 1893 are aiming for the Champions League.
Match report:
FC Basel 1893 – PSV Eindhoven 2:1 (1:1)
St. Jakob-Park. – 29’216 Supporters. – Referee Fabio Verissimo.
Tore: 8. Cömert 1:0 (Frei). 23. Bruma 1:1 (Malen). 68. Van Wolfswinkel 2:1 (Stocker).
FCB: Omlin; Widmer, Alderete, Cömert, Xhaka (81. Petretta); Frei, Balanta; van Wolfswinkel, Zuffi, Stocker; Ajeti.
PSV: Zoet; Dumfries, Luckassen, Viergever, Sadílek; Gutiérrez, Bergwijn, Rosario; Lozano (76. Gakpo); Malen, Bruma.
Notes: FCB Kuzmanovic and Tushi (both injured). PSV without Baumgartl, Lammers and van Osch (all injured). Substitutes FCB: Bua, Campo, Dimitriou, Nikolic, Petretta, Pululu und Zhegrova. – Yellow Cards: 33. van Wolfswinkel. 44. Pereiro. 45. Xhaka. 49. Alederete 67. Bergwijn 81. Sadílek. – 47. Hit the post, Bergwijn.
