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FCB impressed with late goals in the knockout phase of the Conference League. Right in the middle: two jewels.
Complicated everyday league life or not – the morale in the FC Basel team seems to be intact. The latest proof of this came on Thursday evening in the first leg of the Conference League semi-finals in Florence.
Although they were behind for a long time, Heiko Vogel’s team took home a 2-1 win in the end. The offensive courage and the associated late reward run like a red thread through Basel’s almost fairytale-like trip to Europe.
- Round of 16 second leg vs Slovan Bratislava: FCB was 2-1 down until just before the end before Zeki Amdouni in the 93 minutes to 2:2 and thus makes the extra time and the subsequent – victoriously designed – penalty shoot-out possible in the first place.
- Quarter-final second leg vs Nice: It’s running 86 minuteswhen Jean-Kévin Augustin scored the much-acclaimed 1-1 and sent his colors into overtime.
- Semi-final first leg vs Fiorentina: It is the Vogel team’s latest last-minute coup. When the home fans have already come to terms with the 1-1 draw, Amdouni makes an appearance. In the 92 minutes he sinks an assist from Darian Males with the necessary determination to make it 2-1.
What is striking: Basel show these par force performances primarily in foreign stadiums. What is also noticeable: Amdouni is usually right in the middle. The 22-year-old Nati striker, whose services FCB recently secured until 2027. Coach and sports director Vogel speaks of an “exceptional player”. The value he can have for this team has not least been proven with his now 6 conference league goals. There are also 8 goals in the Super League.
Two jewels committed
Like Amdouni, Vogel also labeled Andy Diouf with the label “Exceptional Player”. FCB also definitely signed the 19-year-old Frenchman last week. “I’m strong, tireless and never give up,” Diouf, who was previously under contract with Stade Rennes, recently introduced himself in a video on the FCB website.
That’s what I admire most about my team: staying calm at the back and making the right decisions.
It could just as easily have been a description of his performance against Fiorentina. graduation strength? He proved it in the finish when the goal made it 1-1. Tireless? Nobody was more willing to run on Thursday evening. Give up? Was never an option, Diouf was omnipresent and always playable.
“Andi Diouf was rewarded with the goal, he did a fantastic job,” Vogel emphasized the central midfielder. In such a player you can see the maturing process that the team is going through. “That’s what I admire most about my team: keeping calm at the back and making the right decisions,” enthuses the 47-year-old German.
Showdown in the “Joggeli”
At the same time, Vogel is aware that “we have to remain calm and humble, because we haven’t achieved anything yet.” The semi-final second leg will take place in Basel next Thursday. FCB’s dream of reaching a final in an international competition lives on – thanks to late goals and two jewels.