Basel draws at Goteborg in the Champions’ League, Grasshopper defeats FC Sion

FC Basel and the Champions’ League
A wonderful Huggel header on a Gjasula corner kick gave Basel the crucial away goal in the first leg of the Second Round of the Champions’ League. The Swiss Champions drew 1-1 with the Swedish Champions and now have a great chance to reach the 3rd round.

Basel started the game in a lively fashion creating excellent opportunities with Ergic at the 8th minute and Derdiyok at the 16th minute. This early domination was confirmed by Huggel’s header at the 26th minute yet Goteborg drew 6 minutes later on their first chance through Olsson. In the second half Goteborg defended the score but Basel’s superiority was obvious. Let’s hope the quality and better athletic condition of the Swiss Champions will give them a win in the second leg (6th of August)

This coming friday the fixtures for the 3rd round will be established in Nyon: Basel knows that if they qualify they will defy a team not stronger than Goteborg. What an opportunity to enter the Champions’ League once more, just like 5 years ago!

IFK Goteborg – FC Basel 1-1 (1-1)
Ny Ullevi, 10,914 Spectators. Referee: Dondarini (Italy)
0-1 26th Huggel, 1-1 32nd Olsson.
IFK Goteborg: Christensen; Adam Johansson, Bjärsmyr, Sigurdsson, Jonsson; Niclas Alexandersson, Olsson, Svensson, Hysen (75e Eriksson); Wernbloom, Söder (83e Bärkroth).
FC Basel: Costanzo; Zanni, Abraham, Marque, Safari; Huggel; Carlitos, Ergic, Gjasula, Perovic (59e Stocker); Derdiyok.

Last game of the third matchday, Grasshopper defeats FC Sion
Grasshopper has earned its first points this season by defeating FC Sion. The Zurich team got an early lead through Lulic, courtesy of a mistake by Nwaneri and doubled their advantage 10 minutes later through Bobadilla.
The terrible defensive mistakes of the Sion team and the many chances missed by forward Saborio could have worsened the score. At the 76th minute, Brellier was awarded a red card yet Monterrubio scored a sensational score a minute later. Sion could have earned a draw but Saborio missed an easy chance when he was all alone in front of keeper Jakupovic. A lobbed goal by Bobadilla in extra time condemned ambitious Sion to a second defeat in three games.
Two red cards in three games, a shaky defence, the uncertainties of El-Hadary and the crucial misses by Saborio will give coach Stielike plenty to work on while Grasshopper earn their first win and can look upon the start of their championship with satisfaction.

Grasshopper Zurich – FC Sion 3-1 (2-0)
Letzigrund, 5300 spectators. Referee: Circhetta.
1-0 4th Lulic, 2-0 14th Bobadilla, 2-1 78th Monterrubio, 3-1 93rd Bobadilla. RED CARD: Brellier 76th.
Grasshopper Zurich: Jakupovic; Voser, Vallori, Smiljanic, Daprelà; Cabanas (70e Romero), Salatic (46e Colina); Touré (90e Callà), Zarate, Lulic; Bobadilla.
FC Sion: El Hadary; Vanczak (20e Alioui), Kali (59e Morganella), Nwaneri (46e Saborio), Bühler; Ahoueya; Reset, Brellier, Dominguez, Monterrubio; Adeshina.

Bellinzona play the second leg of the first round of the UEFA Cup today. After having won the away game in Yerevan against Ararat, the team of Marco Schallibaum should qualify for the second round with no difficulties. A different situation for Liechtenstein and Super League side FC Vaduz who lost 2-1 at home undeservedly to Bosnians Zrinjski Mostar and will have a hard time getting the ticket for the second round.

In other news Swiss International Patrick Muller might join PSG in the coming season. Without a contract, the Swiss defender has admitted that he would be interested in signing for the Paris team.
AC Bellinzona has signed Nigerian forward Ikechukwu Kalu from Sampdoria on a 2-year contract. The Nigerian forward has scored 24 goals in 48 games for FC Chiasso between 2005 and 2007.
Young Boys coach Martin Andermatt has been sacked following Young Boys’ poor start to the season (two defeats and one draw). He had coached the team since the 12th of October 2006 and narrowly missed out on winning the Super League yesterday.
Grasshopper has not renewed the contract of Peruvian International Paulo Cruzado Rinaldo. He had played 32 games and scored 2 goals since January 2007.