Champions League: Basel must win against Copenhagen on the return

The path to the Champions League is still long for FC Basel. He will certainly go through Copenhagen in a week. Because the Rotblau was unable to make the difference during the first leg of the dam on Wednesday. They conceded a 1-1 draw, which leaves possible all the scenarios for the return.

More than seven and a half later, it was however good to hear the anthem of the Champions League at Parc Saint-Jacques. But Basel is not yet there, in the league phase, evidenced by a stadium which was not full for this first European meeting of the season. The dams offer the decor of the champions, but they require the qualification.

She is not yet assured of the Rhineland. Far from it. However, Basel had started this first leg well. With a certain rhythm. And opportunities. For Albian Ajeti, very quickly launched by Xherdan Shaqiri and who asked Kotarski in the 3rd minute. For Léo Leroy, who has several times alerted the Danish porter from afar. At the quarter of an hour, already, the FCB was able to pass in front. On a corner, Ajeti was hung on the second post by an opponent, offering a penalty to Shaqiri. Captain Basel was not asked (14th).

It would have been necessary to double the bet. It was not a question of rhythm: the team of Ludovic Magnin imposed it, during a good part of the first period, even if on a strike from Larsson, Tsunemoto had to intervene before his goalkeeper to distance the danger (36th). Marvin Hitz in turn illustrated on a free kick from Gomez. But the last Rhine rampart was much less clean on the corner that followed. On the long center of Lopez, Hitz passed through his exit and let Gabriel Pereira finish alone at the second post (45th+3).

Adjetey expelled

Thus, this second goal has never fallen. Not even in this second more unbridled period, when the two teams sometimes tended to go blow for blow, without creating huge opportunities. And the Basels even finished the meeting at ten, after the expulsion of Adjetey for a second yellow card (82nd). They even almost conceded a second goal, but the realization of Cornelius of the 86th minute was canceled for an offside.

What promise a particularly open return match next Wednesday at Parken. And since the Basel FC of today is not yet that of yesterday, it will be necessary to be very strong to pass this milestone. The anthem of the Champions League depends on it. At worst, it will be that of the Europa League.