FC Basel and Thursday evenings have long been a love story this season. FCB caused a sensation internationally by reaching the semi-finals in the Conference League. Until AC Fiorentina abruptly interrupted this run a week ago. Now there was another game on Thursday evening for Basel. However, this trip did not lead abroad, but “only” to Geneva.
The mission there was clear: with a win, ensure that magical European nights can also take place in St. Jakob-Park next season. That mission went awry with the 3-3 draw, but thanks to Zeki Amdouni’s late equalizer, and because the rivals blundered for the crucial 5th place that entitles them to the 2nd round of the Conference League qualifiers, the With one game to go, Basler still has everything in his own hands.
3 teams with 44 points
Basel is now level on points with the Grasshoppers and FC Zurich in 5th place. While FCZ catapulted themselves to 7th place with a 2-0 win at Winterthur, city rivals GC had to drop points at home against St. Gallen:
- 81 minutes: GC’s Tsiy-William Ndenge scored a volley to make it 2-1 and the supposed winner.
- 90+1 Minute: After a foul by Amir Abrashi, St. Gallen are penalized. Emmanuel Latte Lath fails with his attempt at André Moreira, but Lukas Görtler uses the margin.
An extremely attractive game had previously taken place in the Letzigrund. There were chances on both sides. Shkelqim Demhasaj had used the first one in the 3rd minute to make it 1-0 for the record champions. In the 26th minute it was Latte Lath, who later sinned the penalty, who was responsible for the St. Gallen equaliser.
Opinions on GC – St. Gallen
Lugano with an important home win
The cup final dress rehearsal between FC Lugano and the Bernese Young Boys became the home team’s prey. In the long, balanced game, the Ticino team had the advantage with two goals from aluminum before Ignacio Aliseda (77′) and Mohamed Amoura (89′) scored to win 2-0.
Thanks to the victory, Lugano remains fully in the fight for second place, which entitles them to qualify for the Champions League. The Luganesi are now just one point behind Servette, who, despite leading twice, was unable to celebrate a full win against Basel – so once again FCB played the spoilsport on a Thursday evening when it came to international business. However, Servette still has everything in his own hands, a win at Lucerne on the last day of the game secured second place for Geneva.
Here’s how to proceed
The last Super League matchday will take place on Whit Monday. The showdown for the European places starts at 4:30 p.m. The starting position is promising: The winner of the direct duel between Basel and GC secures 5th place. If there is a draw in this duel, St. Gallen (at home against Sion) or FC Zurich (at home against Lugano) could become the big beneficiaries with a win.