- FC Basel and Grasshoppers split 2-2 in the 18th round of the Super League at St. Jakob-Park.
- Kasami equalizes for FCB in stoppage time, while Cabral fails on the post shortly afterwards.
- The big profiteer from the 4th draw in a row of the Basler is once again the FCZ, which goes into the winter break with a 7 point lead.
- In the other Sunday games, YB cant down Lugano away, Sion defeated Lausanne.
Arthur Cabral could have become a hero once more. But it fits with the current condition of Basler in general and that of Cabral in particular that the Brazilian only hit the outside post in the 98th minute (!) From 6 meters.
It should not have been the last big chance for FCB to win, because a few seconds later Pajtim Kasami also awarded a «one hundred percent» from a similarly good position. Then it was finally sealed, the 4th straight draw of the Basler in the Super League.
Heartbeat finals in St. Jakob-Park
Only a few minutes earlier it had even looked as if GC would be able to take all 3 points out of the «Joggeli». Petar Pusic caused ecstasy on the Grasshoppers bench in the 86th minute when he volleyed a cross from Allan Arigoni into the Basel housing.
GC’s chances of victory increased again shortly afterwards after substitute Sebastiano Esposito was sent off with a direct red card. The FCB player had lost control after a quarrel with Pusic and Shkelqim Demhasaj and committed an assault.
But the Zurich team did not manage to outnumber the victory over time. In the 93rd minute, GC goalie André Moreira grabbed a cross from Michael Lang into the void, Kasami refused to be asked twice and nodded to make it 2-2.
Opportunities here and there
Despite the late equalization and some luck in the competition in the final minutes, the Grasshoppers should be quite satisfied with one point. The guests made a courageous appearance in St. Jakob-Park and – like FCB – created numerous good chances to score.
Valentin Stocker opened the score in the 45th minute when he was able to outsmart Moreira in two attempts. After the break it was Hayao Kawabe who was responsible for the GC equalization. The Japanese hammered the ball from close range half volleyball into the mesh.
Too little for frame?
The fourth draw in a row means that the second-placed Basel, 7 points behind the leader FCZ, said goodbye to the winter break. Whether Patrick Rahmen will still be FCB coach at the start of the second half is at least questionable. In the last few days there have been increasing reports that the club from the Rhine knee longs for a change on the sidelines.
After the winter break, FCB will face Lucerne away from home at the end of January. GC starts the second half of the season with an away game in Sion.