Basel and Zurich had played 2-2 and 0-0 in their previous season duels. And there was also no winner in the third meeting between the two rivals: the recent 2-2 draw in St. Jakob-Park provided the best entertainment, but it didn’t bring either team any decisive progress. Zurich has now been waiting for a win in the Super League for three games, Basel for four. In addition, the “Bebbi” have remained in the “classic” without a complete success since August 2022.
The FCZ almost turned the game completely on its head again in the second half. Referee Sandro Schärer first decided on a penalty in the 85th minute after Fabian Frei had knocked Jonathan Okita off his feet in the penalty area. But because Fabian Rohner had previously elbowed Dominik Schmid, the referee withdrew his whistle. It remained 2:2, which is okay overall.
Kamberi with the early Zurich lead
In the rain in Basel, the guests got off to a much better start to the game after a little delay – the two fan camps had protested against the introduction of the cascade model in Swiss football by throwing erasers.
Already in the 6th minute there was a crash behind Marwin Hitz. After a corner from Okita, defender Lindrit Kamberi rose up, beat two Basel players in an aerial duel and scored with a powerful header.
Avdullahu scores beautifully for the first time in the Super League
Fabio Celestini’s men shook each other briefly and then hit back twice:
- 27th minute: Thierno Barry gets the ball by chance and seems to have already wasted the favorable move. But he puts his heel back to Leon Avdullahu, who beats Yanick Brecher with a wonderful shot. It is the midfield talent’s first Super League goal.
- 39th minute: Anton Kade is served exemplary by Barry on the right. The German makes opponent Amadou Dante look old and scores from a tight angle to make it 2-1.
Nikola Katic should have made it 2-2 before the break. But the advanced Croatian showed after a rebound at Hitz why he belongs to the defending guild: He miserably missed the orphaned goal from close range in the 43rd minute. Luckily for him, Condé made up for what he missed after the break.
With the draw, Zurich remains in fourth place in the table. Basel’s lead over Barrage place is currently three points.
This is how it continues
For Basel, the program continues on Tuesday with the guest appearance in Lugano. On Wednesday, Zurich welcomes FC Winterthur, now tied on points, to Letzigrund (live on SRF two and in the Sport app from 8:10 p.m.).