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Champions League: Guimaraes frustrated by resolute Basel

Vitoria Guimaraes 0-0 FC Basel

Vitoria Guimaraes were held to a goalless draw by FC Basel yesterday in the first leg of the final qualifying round for this season’s Champions League.

The Swiss champions are now favourites to go through, but Manuel Cajuda and his team will feel they are still in with a good chance of getting the result they need in the return leg in a fortnight to make history and enter the competition proper for the first time.

Basel were playing their eighth competitive match this season whereas it was Guimaraes’ first official outing, and the difference showed as the Swiss outfit looked the sharper side for most of the 90 minutes.

In front of a 30,000 sell-out crowd who created an electric atmosphere in the Dom Afonso Henriques stadium, it was the visitors who were first to threaten. A well-worked combination between Carlitos and Stocker set up the latter, whose rasping shot was well turned away for a corner by Nilson.

Guimaraes gradually began to take control of proceedings but found it difficult to make headway against the well-marshalled Basel rearguard.

Penalty controversy

In the space of three minutes around the half-hour mark the home players had two loud shouts for a penalty turned down as twice Basel defenders appeared to handle in the box, but the referee waved away both appeals.

In between Marquinho came close to breaking the deadlock with a fine volley on the turn that flew just the wrong side of Costanzo’s post. Back came Basel with Carlitos and Abraham sending dangerous efforts narrowly wide before the interval.

The second half was something of a non-event, with the visitors keeping ten men behind the ball at all times and Guimaraes unable to fashion clear-cut chances. The best opportunity fell to Desmarets on 85 minutes on the edge of the box, but the Frenchman dithered on the ball and was crowded out before he could get his shot in.

Cajuda remains confident

Guimaraes Coach Manuel Cajuda remained upbeat about his team’s chances of beating the Swiss in the St Jakob Park stadium. “We put in a huge effort and were excellent in the first half. I’m proud to see Vitoria play like that. In the second half there was some mental and physical tiredness, which is understandable.

“If we had conceded a goal things would have been far worse. We have to remember FC Basel had played seven games already this season – it’s not an excuse it’s just the reality.

“I don’t think things are now more complicated. In my opinion it will be easier to score there than here. In a fortnight we will be stronger.”

Vitoria Guimaraes:
Nilson, Andrezinho, Moreno, Gregory, Luciano Amaral, Flavio Meireles, Joao Alves, Marquinho (Carlitos, 46), Fajardo (Jean Coral, 60), Desmarets, Douglas (Roberto, 75)
Yellow Cards: Douglas, Flavio Meireles

FC Basel:
Costanzo, Zanni, Abraham, Marque, Safari, Huggel, Stocker (Perovic, 71), Ergic, Gelabert, Carlitos (Rubio, 87), Derdiyok (Mustafi, 79)
Yellow Card: Stocker