(Translated by Thomas Snaith)

Basel had several chances to score and go ahead in Parc des Princes, especially as they clearly improved their performance compared to their previous UEFA Champions League fixture against Arsenal. FCB played brave offensive football but failed to score on the night. „The result does not reflect the action on the pitch. “stated Urs Fischer after the game. „We played well tonight, which is most important. We played with more aggression compared to our performance against Arsenal FC; we need to transfer this approach to the challenges which lie ahead”.

After five minutes of play the visitors hit the woodwork. Matias Delgado took the corner kick, Birkir Bjarnason headed the ball to Miachal Lang, who headed the ball against the crossbar. A few minutes later Renato Steffen’s shot was blocked by Alphonse Aréola; Seydou Doumbia took the rebound but failed to score from close distance, belting the ball over the crossbar. It was also Doumbia who failed to score half an hour later, heading the ball against the post. Up until this point the home team was nonexistent. PSG  coach Unai Emery praised FCB in the post match press conference, for their solid defensive work (up until the end of the first half.)

Not as strong in the second half

Just before the end of the first half, FCB’s defence started to open up. Adrien Rabiot launched Blaise Matuidi with sweet pass, who then passed the ball to the centre of the pitch, destroying Basel’s defence. It was no other than Angel di Maria who scored the opener for his team. This was the point of the game where the tables turned; FCB’s performance levels dropped and PSG started to dominate.

As the second half kicked off, FCB were not able to express the same power as they did during the first 45 minutes. FC Basel 1893 was still able to create valuable chances. Similar to the first half, FCB failed to make use of their chances, lacking precision and efficiency. The home team on the other hand, showed the visitors what they were lacking, scoring their second goal within 60 minutes of play. FCB failed to clear Serge Aurier’s cross into the box, where Lucas used the opportunity to score the 2:0. Even after the 2:0 was scored, FCB was still in the game, as Marek Suchy hit the post with a header from within the box.

„It didn’t go our way tonight“

The final minutes of the fixture ended in a penalty for PSG, scored by Edinson Cavani, making the score 3:0 for the French side. FCB were able compete with PSG for most of the game and would have deserved a better result. „It didn’t go our way tonight“Fischer commented, „I am disappointed as we deserved more, but we can take away several positives from tonight’s performance“.  A better result could have been possible against the French champions, creating optimism for FCB’s challenges which lie ahead.

Match Report:

Paris Saint-Germain FC – FC Basel 1893 3:0 (1:0)

Parc des Princes. – 46‘488 Supporters. – SR Deniz Aytekin.

Goals: 39. di Maria 1:0. 62. Lucas 2:0. 93. Cavani 3:0 (Penalty).

PSG: Aréola; Aurier, Marquinhos, Thiago Silva, Kurzawa; Matuidi (83. Krychowiak), Verratti, Raboit; Lucas (81. Ben Arfa), Cavani, di Maria (87. Jesé).

FCB: Vaclik; Lang, Suchy, Balanta, Traoré; Xhaka, Serey Die (78. Janko); Bjarnason, Delgado (70. Zuffi), Steffen; Doumbia (61. Sporar)

Bemerkungen: PSG ohne Pastore und Thiago Motta (beide verletzt). FCB ohne Akanji (verletzt). Ersatzbank FCB: Callà, Hoegh, Gaber, Janko, Sporar, Zuffi und Vailati. – Verwarnungen: 64. Rabiot (Foul). 66. Steffen (Foul). – 5. Kopfball Lang an die Latte. 36. Kopfball Doumbia an den Pfosten. 65. Kopfball Suchy an den Pfosten.

Notes: PSGw without Pastore and Thiago Motta (both injured). FCB without Akanji (injured). Substitutes FCB: Callà, Hoegh, Gaber, Janko, Sporar, Zuffi und Vailati- Yellow Cards: 64. Rabiot (Foul). 66. Steffen (Foul). – 5. Lang hits crossbar with header. 36. Doumbia hits post. 65. Suchy hits post.

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