11 replies to this topic

[Squibo]

The Swiss Champions surprised many by removing Manchester United from the competition while the German giants are considered to be perhaps the biggest threat to the Spanish duo. Their stadium, the Allianz Arena will also play host to the final, so there's every incentive for them to perform well.

No match thread made so far, so this will do. 25 minutes in and it's still 0-0 but it's been a great game of attacking football. Basel are showing no fear this Bayern side which has both Robben and Ribery on the pitch.

Bayern started very strongly with Ribery forcing Sommer into a number of great saves while only just moments ago Basel hit the inside of the post (how it didn't go in I don't know).. only to follow it up by hitting the crossbar no more than 90 seconds later.

[MancUnited]

Basel is the better team at the moment, they had two big big chances and could easily lead with two goals - they hit the post and were unlucky when their shoot was cleared on the line.

[GZA]

Starting to feel better about Basel taking 4 points off us.

[Squibo]

A lot of players just going through the motions currently. The tempo has really died off from about the 30th minute mark. Bayern are trying to play a possession based game, hoping to wear Basel down. The problem is Ribery aside, they're offering almost zero in a creative sense. Doesn't help that Gomez hasn't made a single run off the ball of note. Basel have worked quite well defensively however.

Basel haven't exactly offered much more, but given they've had only about 30% possession, it's to be expected. They've created a couple of half chances, but nothing to threaten Neuer. Bit of a pity that Shaqiri's in that awkward situation where he probably doesn't want to hurt his future employees as it's hampered Basel's threat to some extent.

The game and tie for that matter is really asking for a goal to wake both sides up. Hoping it's Basel who can get it.

[Squibo]

STOCKER! 1-0

Get in Basel, get in!

The sub, Zoua makes a strong run across the box. No challenge made at all as he just slides in a nice ball to Stocker who finishes nicely.

[Squibo]

FT

BASEL 1 - 0 BAYERN

Brilliant result for Basel and probably deserved in all honesty. They should've gone up early in the first half only to be denied by the woodwork on two separate occasions. Bayern started strongly but aside from Ribery they offered almost nothing for all their possession (about 60%). Robben had a poor game while Gomez was non existent bar missing like one decent chance. In short, not enough off the ball movement to successfully play a possession based game. That said, Basel defended quite well as a team and worked hard to ensure that they didn't get caught out in many 1 v 1 situations. Sommer had a superb game, MOTM imo, to deny Bayern Ribery on several occasions early.

For Basel, they played well and as mentioned before, should've gone up early. They imposed themselves well on the game despite their fairly minimal possession throughout the piece. It was pleasing to see that they showed no fear despite their heavy underdog status despite what they achieved in the group phases. Their hard work was what won them this game and a little bit of spark from their sub, Zoua who came on to set up Stocker for the games winner. Zoua had a chance to set up a second moments later but wasn't able to deliver the final ball.

Sets up a very intriguing second leg. Bayern will still be favourites to progress in front of their home fans though they're going to have to improve their performance ten fold in order to do so. If there's one thing to be learnt from this it's that they're most certainly not worthy of their status of the side most likely to stop the Spanish duopoly.. or at least by what the bookmakers think. Would love to see Basel get the job done in the second leg.

[MancUnited]

Great result for Basel, they really like the underdog role and if they can manage to score an away goal everything is possible.

It's nice to see that nearly all underdogs got a good result and can still dream to go through.

Edited by MancUnited, 23 February 2012 - 08:00 AM.

[Scout FC]

The result gave me a warm fuzzy. Don't think I've seen Bayern look so shit on defense. Amateur at times. Sommer, I think I love you.

[ChrisHolley]

I really enjoyed this game. I also agree that Basel were better and deserved to win, I honestly hope they can be the team that does very well despite being rank outsiders for champions league. I'm not saying they will win it I just think they could go a long way. Sommer in goal was outstanding and I wouldn't be surprised if after the show he out on that a few big teams take an interest in him, he pulled of some top saves and showed real bravery also. I think Basel will go through if Bayern perform the way they did, also I think Basel are better away from home aren't they? or they score more goals away.

Credit to both teams they both got on with the game, no rolling around on the floor, getting straight up and no complaining to the ref which bad his job so easy which is always a bonus seeing refs not getting abused because of decisions.

[Tokyo Sexwale]

On the subject of whinging to the ref, do you guys agree that it's not part of the German culture to really do that? Whenever I watch Bundesliga sides, I always feel the referee gets a lot less abuse than he would receive from Latin sides.

[ChrisHolley]

Tokyo Sexwale, on 26 February 2012 - 10:57 PM, said:

On the subject of whinging to the ref, do you guys agree that it's not part of the German culture to really do that? Whenever I watch Bundesliga sides, I always feel the referee gets a lot less abuse than he would receive from Latin sides.

I agree too, for the few Bundesliga games I see I barely notice the ref which is a good thing because it means the ref is doing a good job and the players are respecting his decisions. You could also take into account that the refs in Germany are at a better standard as well compared to English or Spanish refs.

[Strikeb4ck]

Basel are a dark horse, I'm warning you. I think this game ends 2-2 in Munich and they go through. They have a perfect blend of leadership/experience and youth, flair and solidity, etc...

Also, as brilliant as Sommer was, the other player that was outstanding was Park, the LB.