Otelul Galati | 2 - 3 | FC Basel |
|---|---|---|
| Gabriel Giurgiu (75') |  | Fabian Frei (10') |
| Liviu Antal (81') | | Alexander Frei (14') |
| | Marco Streller (37') | |
| Date | : | Tue, Nov 22, 2011 | Time | : | 20:45 CET |
| Play on | : | UEFA Champions League |
Ruthless finish that made the difference for Basel in Romania, who won 3-2 Otelul Galati.
And if they beat Manchester United on December 7 at St. Jakob-Park, Basel pip English champions a place in the Champions League knock-out stages.
That's the remarkable position that the team is Heiko Vogel, after the first half with goals from Fabian Frei, Alexander Frei and Marco Streller in the National Stadium in Bucharest maintained their challenge in Group C.
A meeting in late Otelul Galati produced two goals, but the draw was more than the locals, who are without a point after five games in their first season of the Champions League.
Basel opponents see a lot of the ball in the early stages, but by the quarter hour and after two attacks of note addressed to the visitors 2-0.
The first goal came after 10 minutes when Alexander Frei infield took a few steps from the left flank and chipped a delightful pass to Benjamin Huggel inside the penalty area Otelul.
Huggel put the ball in short Fabian Frei and his signature and low for the first time shot from the left Branko Grahovac embarrassed at the near post of the goalkeeper.
It was 2-0 four minutes later when he ran into space Streller left and, unchallenged, was allowed to post in the penalty area.
Could have shot as Grahovac out to meet him, but chose the smart choice to jump the ball through Alexander Frei and former Borussia Dortmund striker drove the ball from 12 meters, one rebound and on the network.
Otelul, the champions of Romania last season, pressed for an answer, but initially lacked the clinical touch the front of Basel.
Gabriel Giurgiu was one of the home players to disregard the possibilities, firing over the crossbar.
Streller seemed to have put the game safe for Basel in the 37th minute when he fired the third, running through the home defense after an attempted clearance by Cristian Sarghi was very wrong. Streller took a smart shot outside his left foot on the bottom right corner.
Basel driven most of the second half, trying to increase their advantage.
But it was 3-1 on 75 minutes when Giurgiu crashed into a 20-yard strike, giving opportunity goalkeeper Yann Sommer Basel little as the ball found the upper left corner.
And when the lead was reduced to a single goal in minute 81, Basel cling.
Liviu This time Antal was the top scorer, capitalizing on the unfortunate game within his own penalty area by Park Joo-ho and fired the ball past Sommer.
After four previous defeats, Otelul had a first Champions League point in sight, but the team Dorinel Munteanu, had a third goal in them.
Basel being third in the group, but represent only one point behind the United States and Benfica, who shared four goals at Old Trafford.
Benfica are through the last 16 years on the basis of their superior record against United. Basel and the UK have all to play.
Otelul Galati vs FC Basel Last 5 match
| Otelul Galati | FC Basel |
| Nov 2, 2011, Man Utd. 2 - 0 Otelul Galati | Nov 19, 2011, Basel 1 - 0 Young Boys |
| Oct 18, 2011, Otelul Galati 0 - 2 Man Utd. | Nov 5, 2011, Lausanne 2 - 3 Basel |
| Sep 27, 2011, Otelul Galati 0 - 1 Benfica | Nov 2, 2011, Benfica 1 - 1 Basel |
| Sep 14, 2011, Basel 2 - 1 Otelul Galati | Oct 29, 2011, Basel 4 - 1 Grashoppers |
| Oct 26, 2011, FC Sion 0 - 1 Basel |
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