Super League
A different energy: How FC Basel was able to win against Bern again after 15 games
Without the suspended coach, but with a lot of effort, FC Basel won again against leader YB in the 20th round of the Super League for the first time since July 2020. But despite the redeeming victory, there is another small problem.
Often two against one from Bern: FC Basel impresses with its collegiality against YB on Saturday evening.
Image: Peter Klaunzer / Keystone
At the obligatory press conference, Fabio Celestini is allowed to take office again. Previously, when the team arrived at the stadium, the suspended FCB coach had been banished to the box, where he watched the game against YB alongside David Degen and Ruedi Zbinden. Now Celestini sits on the podium after a 1-0 win and says: “I’m proud of my team because they gave everything.” The energy and defensive structure were very good and were therefore the foundation for the success against leader YB.
A success for which the FCB fans had waited three and a half years and 15 games without a win and for which the majority of the 26,400 spectators in attendance also share some of the responsibility. Because every successful action is frenetically applauded, especially in the final phase. And the low-lying FCB mobilizes the last of its strength to save the lead over time. When Marwin Hitz scratched Cedric Itten’s shot from the corner in the 89th minute, the tremors were over. As a result, YB no longer comes to a conclusion.
The telegram
FC Basel – YB 1:0 (1:0)
St. Jakob-Park. – 26’410 Zuschauende. – SR: Fedayi San. – Tor: 13. Kololli (Schmid) 1:0.
Basel: Heat; Schmid (81. van Breemen), Frei, Barisic, Vouilloz; Veiga, Avdullahu; Kade, Augustin (58. Gauto), Kololli (81. Xhaka); Barry (93. Jovanovic).
Young Boys: Von Ballmos? Persson (70. Hadjam), Benito, Amenda, Blum (33. Janko); Ugrinic, Lauper (71. Niasse), Lakomy, Males (46. Mvuka); Monteiro (71. Ganvoula), Itten.
Remarks: Basel without Comas, de Mol, Dräger, Hunziker, Junior Zé, López, Malone, Essiam and Rüegg (all injured), Celestini, Beney (suspended), Sigua and Onyegbule (not called up). – YB without Imeri (injured), Camara, Elia, Chaiwa (all Africa Cup), Marzino, Deme (both not in the squad). – Warnings: 9. Frei (foul), 45. Males (foul), 52. Veiga (foul), 70. Monteiro (complaining), 73. Lakomy (foul), 93. Schmid and Amenda (both pack formation). – Frei and Schmid are missing in Winterthur.
The winning goal came in the 13th minute. Initiated by the extremely strong Dominik Schmid, who obviously had aggressive cornflakes in his morning cereal, the ball lands at Benjamin Kololli after a deflection from YB’s Noah Persson. The winter signing can receive the ball in the penalty area and chip it into the net via David von Ballmoos. An ideal debut for the former FCZ wing in his first home game in red and blue.
As a result, FCB earned the lead. Because thanks to good defensive performance, a lot of effort and regular dangerous counterattacks, FC Basel is the better team until the break. There is no sign of 22 points separating the former title opponents in the table this season.
Weakened YB with problems in possession of the ball
Coach Raphael Wicky doesn’t want to use the fact that YB went into the game weakened after Nsame’s abrupt departure and the Africa Cup-related absences of Meschak Elia and Captain Mohamed Camara as an excuse: “We were technically too weak to win,” says the former Basel coach, who could leave YB in the summer even if he wins the double again. After the defeat against Basel, the signs continue to point to separation.
Wicky reacts during the break, replacing ex-Basel player Darian Males with winter signing Joel Mvuka. But although YB subsequently acted more dominantly, there were still no big chances to score. FCB, on the other hand, has that in the person of substitute Juan Gauto. But the Argentine cannot crown a great solo with the 2-0 because Loris Benito’s heel slips into the path of the shot.
In addition to Itten’s finish in the 89th minute, FCB only allowed YB one more big chance. But because Itten headed a Janko cross just past the goal in the 79th minute, the Basel player was unable to celebrate for the twelfth time in the 19th game against his youth club.
Two people banned on Tuesday in Winterthur
This is what FC Basel did after the final whistle, more exuberantly than usual. It is noticeably a victory that is particularly good for the players, fans and also the coach. “We need every point at the moment,” says Celestini, who thought the three points against YB were possible in advance, but certainly didn’t budget for them. But the new coach has managed to give FC Basel a different energy. “We now know what the other players are doing,” explains Anton Kade. The German also speaks of a different intensity and a new energy that can be felt on the field. And demands that you take the momentum with you to Winterthur on Tuesday, where a direct duel against an in-form opponent in the fight for 6th place will take place.
This will take place without Fabian Frei and Dominik Schmid, who both received their fourth yellow card against YB. “Even after a win like that, there are problems,” says Celestini with a grin. He will be on the sidelines again on Tuesday and perhaps feel the new FCB energy up close.
The pictures from the game:
Martin Rueda is leading FC Basel as coach today because his boss is serving a yellow and red suspension.
Peter Klaunzer / KEYSTONE