Barcelona rediscover their origins in Basel

Tonight’s game between FC Basel and Barcelona is more than a Champions’ League clash – it is a way for Barcelona to rediscover some sweet memories from the past.

According to legend, the Swiss founder of Barcelona, Joan Gamper, a former player of FC Zurich and FC Basel, was inspired by Basel’s colours when he created the Catalan team. Other than that, Barcelona won their first major trophy in 1979 by lifting the UEFA Cup Winner’s Cup beating Fortuna Dusseldorf in Basel.
“We’re happy to be here again,” said coach Josep Guardiola. “For the people of Barcelona, this is a city and a stadium with a lot of good memories.”

Guardiola will confirm his rotation and his dislike for fixed starting elevens with the following formation starting the game:
FC Barcelona: Valdes; Dani Alves, Marquez, Puyol, Abidal; Xavi, Touré, Busquets; Henry, Eto’o, Messi.

FC Basel instead has nothing to lose, following two defeats the Swiss have to draw or win this game. Therefore Gross will unfold a Derdiyok-Streller attacking line. Basel will play with the following team:

Basel: Costanzo; Zanni, Abraham, Marque, Safari; Rubio, Huggel, Ergic, Chipperfield; Derdiyok, Streller.

Gross is confident: “The fans will give us tremendous support and what more do you want as a player than to play against Barcelona?”