FC Basel miss out on a coup in Copenhagen and lose 2-0, shattering their dream of a first Champions League appearance in eight years.
27.08.2025, 22:59
27.08.2025, 23:05
SDA
With just over 40 seconds played in the second half, Elias Achouri managed to do something that Basel had failed to do in the entire first half - despite having a surprising amount of possession: He delivers a cross into the dangerous area. And Andreas Cornelius, a player who doesn't need many chances, is there. The 32-year-old heads the home team into the lead and somehow you can already sense that this could have been the deciding factor.
Although FC Basel played well for long periods in the Copenhagen cauldron, they lacked the necessary penetration. The visitors repeatedly showed good approaches, circulated the ball well through their own ranks and impressed overall with a combative performance. What they lack is an offensive moment of brilliance. Xherdan Shaqiri is normally responsible for this, but that's the problem when so much depends on one player: If he doesn't have any flashes of brilliance, there's no one to step into the breach.
Personnel too thin on the ground
FCB did have one or two chances to equalize. In the 56th and 57th, Shaqiri and Moritz Broschinski, who was preferred to Albian Ajeti in the starting eleven, had chances from close range. Croatian goalkeeper Dominik Kotarski saved both shots. But then little happened offensively for several minutes. Basel put in a great deal of effort, but mostly lacked ideas in and around the penalty area. And then Adrian Barisic is too late against his opponent after a counter-attack and Youssoufa Moukoko makes everything clear with his penalty goal in the 84th minute.
In the end, the realization remains that FCB simply lacked the necessary class and breadth in the squad to make it into the top flight. The loss of Bénie Traoré weighed particularly heavily. As in the first leg, coach Ludovic Magnin put his trust in 20-year-old Marin Soticek, but he was clearly shown his limits. And on the other side of the wing, Philip Otele has not yet found the form he shone with in the spring.
Europe instead of the Champions League
FCB is now looking ahead to the Europa League. The club last played in this competition in the 2019/20 season, advancing to the quarter-finals. The draw for the league phase will take place on Friday from 13:00 in Monaco. Basel will be drawn in pots 2 or 3, but this no longer plays a major role in the new system, as each of the 36 teams will be drawn against two opponents from the different pots.
Although the Europa League does not offer the biggest opponents or the biggest money, FCB can hope to win one or two matches. The clash with Copenhagen showed that the Swiss champions are probably better off in this competition.
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Copenhagen - Basel 2:0 (0:0)
Parken, Copenhagen. - 34'854 spectators. - SR Kovacs (ROU). - Goals: 46. Cornelius 1:0. 84. Moukoko (penalty) 2:0.
Copenhagen: Kotarski; Huescas, Pereira, Hatzidiakos, Lopez; Larsson (80. Robert), Lerager, Mattsson (64. Clem), Achouri (61. Moukoko); Elyounoussi; Cornelius (80. Claesson).
Basel: Hitz; Tsunemoto, Barisic, Vouilloz, Schmid; Metinho, Leroy (79. Koindredi); Soticek (79. Junior Zé), Shaqiri (86. Kaio Eduardo), Otele; Broschinski (68. Ajeti).
Comments: Basel without Adjetey (suspended). Caution: 85. Claesson.
