- FC Lugano beats FC Basel in the cup quarter-finals 4-3 after a penalty shootout. After 120 minutes the score was 2-2.
- Zan Celar scores twice early for Lugano, Thierno Barry saves Basel late in extra time.
- In the other cup quarter-finals, Servette beat Delémont, Winterthur prevailed at FCZ.
In the end, FC Lugano wins at FC Basel. Because Fabian Frei slipped during the penalty shootout and put the ball over the goal. And because Dominik Schmid fails because of Amir Saipi, while the Luganesi score confidently. What should have been the highlight of a spectacular comeback ended up being just another chapter in a disappointing FCB season.
The Basel team had previously shown strong morale and a comeback that was hardly thought possible. Basel were 2-0 down at St. Jakob-Park around 10 minutes before the final whistle. There was little to suggest a comeback. But Thierno Barry still had something to object to the defeat.
First, the 21-year-old Frenchman scored from outside the penalty area and sank the ball into the net behind Saipi with a powerful shot (81′). And just two minutes later it was Barry again who completed the comeback. The FCB striker completed a cross from Roméo Beney with a powerful header.
Little action in extra time
The striker only came into the game after the break in place of the inconspicuous Albian Ajeti. And he also needed some time to get going before he pushed his team into overtime. There the home team tried to take the momentum straight away. A free kick from Frei created a goal threat, but Saipi was there. On the other hand, Marwin Hitz prevented a possible decision. Ultimately, the penalty shootout had to decide – with the better end for the Ticino team.
Celar shines
FCB was clearly inferior in the first half. One man in particular was responsible for the difference: Zan Celar. The Slovenian had already scored twice in the first quarter of an hour:
- 6th minute: Jonathan Sabbatini undermines the entire FCB defense with a pass into the interface. Celar takes the ball with him and finishes in a controlled manner. Hitz can no longer prevent the impact.
- 15th minute: Again Celar gets the ball in the penalty area far too easily. There it is placed by Leon Barisic, which results in a hard penalty whistle. Celar stays cool from the spot and scores his second goal.
Cup team Lugano
By reaching the semi-finals again, Lugano has also underlined its status as a cup team. Since Mattia Croci-Torti took over the Ticino team in 2021, there has only been one defeat – in the final last year against YB. The team is now back in the round of 4 and is now just two wins away from repeating the triumph of 2022.
Basel, on the other hand, missed the second semi-final in a row. And this will probably be his last chance to be involved in international business next year. In the championship, an outstanding final phase of the season would be necessary to make it into the top 5. The path to winning the cup would probably have been easier.
This is how it continues
The draw for the cup semi-finals will take place on Thursday following the last quarter-final Sion – YB live on SRF. On the weekend of 27/28. The cup finalists will be determined in April.