FCBarcelona.cat

Match

Marcador del partit

Date: Wednesday, 22 Oct
Competition: ???label.competicio1???
Stadium: St. Jakob-Park, Basel

Resultat:

FC Basilea: 0
FC Barcelona: 5

Match report

Match Report
Pre-Match

Match Report

More info

Goals

0-1 Messi (min 3)
0-2 Busquets (min 15)
0-3 Bojan (min 22)
0-4 Bojan (min 46)
0-5 Xavi (min 48)

Barcelona make history in Basel (0-5)

Jordi Clos

FC Barcelona were in commanding form as they equalled a Champions League record by knocking five goals past FC Basel without reply in St. Jakob-Park on Wednesday evening.

On the ground where the club won the European Cup Winers' Cup in 1979, Barça completed a stunning display that saw all the goals come from players that rose through the youth ranks at Camp Nou. Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets, Bojan Krkic (2) and Xavi Hernández all scored against a home team that was never able to cope with the speed of movement and incredible passing game of their guests. After taking a three-goal lead by midway through the opening period, the Blaugrana added tow more straight after the break to wrap up the scoring and take a huge step towards securing a place in the next stage of the Champions League.

Early opening

Barça began brightly and it took just three minutes to find a way past the Basel rearguard to open the scoring. Alves clipped the ball over the defence while looking the other way and Messi ran through before producing a sublime finish as he touched it under the keeper. Basel looked to come back into the game, but they were further behind in the 15th minute when Xavi picked the ball up 25 yards from goal in the centre of the pitch and saw Busquets on the right before slotting a pass to the midfielder, who finished with some aplomb with a low effort after superbly controlling the ball.

Three ahead after 22 minutes

The pitch in Basel was quick and Barça used that to their advantage as they moved the ball around at great speed and created space across the pitch. Xavi and Messi had chances to increase the lead, but after 22 minutes a third goal arrived. Bojan was named in the starting line-up by coach Pep Guardiola and showed why he deserved it by edging along the area before steering the ball back beyond the despairing dive of Franco Costanzo and into the far corner of net.

Further chances

With such a big lead, Barcelona were able to relax and enjoy themselves while taking their foot slightly off the pedal. Chances were still created though and both Bojan and Alves could have added to the scoreline before the break. Costanzo makes two great saves in quick succession as Hleb laid the ball back for Bojan whose shot the keeper parried before Busquets pounced on the rebound to set up Alves, but the custodian also kept his drive out.

Fine start

If Barça's opening to the first half was good, their start to the second period was even better as they netted two goals inside the first three minutes to increase their lead to five. The outstanding Sergio Busquets slid the ball past the Basel back four and Bojan raced goalwards before tucking the ball past the hapless Costanzo to put Barça further ahead. Moments later Hleb cut in from the left and picked out Messi instead of shooting and the Argentinian, in turn, rolled the ball back for Xavi to take drive at goal. Bojan could have completed his hat-trick in the 55th minute, but he paused before lifting the ball over the bar with only the keeper to beat.

Ninth-in-a-row

The outcome was decided, but Basel did move forward towards the end of the game in search of a consolation and Víctor Valdés had to be on his toes to deny substitute Eduardo after he had made his way through to the edge of the area. Barça will be delighted with the display that saw them record their ninth consecutive victory in all competitions and attention will now turn to the league game against Almería at the weekend.

Preview

Basel, 29 years later

On May 16, 1979, Basel was the venue for the European Cup Winners Cup Final between FC Barcelona and Fortuna Düsseldorf. Barça, managed that night by Quimet Rifé, took the title after a thrilling 4-3 victory over the German outfit.

Chance for nine out of nine

Roger Bogunyà

Barça will be in Basel tonight (20.45, live on Canal + 2 and R@dio Barça) seeking their third win in a row in the CL. A win would make second round qualification an almost mathematical certainty and would also put Barça on good course for top spot.

It will be odd to see FC Barcelona playing a side that wears its own colours tonight on the turf of the Saint Jakob-Park in Basel. It has often been theorized that Joan Gamper used the Basel kit as inspiration for Barça’s now world famous strip, and as the home side, it will Basel that wear them tonight, while Barça will be donning yellow. The Swiss side is still looking for their first points in Group C.

Continuing the winning streak

The challenge for Guardiola’s side is to continue a winning run that has already seen them string together five league and two Champions League victories. Barça are also looking to complete the first half of their Champions League group with maximum points, something they have not done since the 2002/03 season, when Louis van Gaal was on the bench.

Missing Keita

Barça’s morale is on a high, but some key players will be missing. Milito, Pedro and Gudjohnsen were already out, but on Sunday, Keita’s name was added to the injury list, and he is expected to be on the sidelines for the next fortnight. This will be the first game of the whole season in which the Malian will play no part.

Basel co-leaders in Switzerland

Basel are currently joint top of the Swiss championship, side by side with Zurich on 25 points. The side managed by Christian Gross is also going well in the cup, where last Friday they ensured passage into the last sixteen. But their European campaign has not been quite so bright. They have yet to register a point, and defeat tonight will leave them in a very tight spot indeed.

Top of page

Back to top

FCBARCELONA.CAT

Main menu

Language menu

Section menu

Content menu

Content