A resounding 5-1 defeat is what FC Basel got served with at the Santiago Bernabeu on Matchday 1 of the 2014/15 UEFA Champions League. It was always going to be difficult for Paulo Sousa’s men to commence their European adventure against the defending champions, Real Madrid.
However, after noticing how Liverpool had to struggle at Anfield to snatch a 2-1 win against minnows Ludogorets, the Swiss will certainly fancy their chances of getting a positive result tonight. At home against English opposition, Basel have recorded four wins and three draws out of 11 matches.
Interestingly, both Liverpool and the hosts enter the game having failed to win last Saturday. The Merseyside Reds were leading 1-0 thanks to an outstanding Steven Gerrard free-kick but an injury-time strike by Phil Jagielka silenced Anfield. Similarly, FCB failed to hold on to Xhaka’s opener as Thun’s Sadik forced them to their first draw of the season with a 90th minute equalizer.
The good news for the visitors is that both Emre Can and Lazar Markovic have finished serving match bans they received in the UEFA Europa League last season against Bayer Leverkusen and Benfica respectively.
Meanwhile, the last time Liverpool played away to Basel was back in November 2002. Veteran midfielder Steven Gerrard was part of the Reds team which fought back to earn a 3-3 draw after going 3-0 down but that wasn’t enough to progress into the Round of 16; Liverpool finished in third position, a point behind the Swiss.
Is it time for vengeance?
FC Basel's Lineup: Vacilik, Schar, Suchy, Safari, Serey Die, F. Frei, Hamoudi, Elneny, Xhaka, Streller, Embolo.
Liverpool's FC Lineup: Mignolet, Manquillo, Lovren, Skrtel, Enrique, Gerrard, Henderson, Coutinho, Sterling, Markovic, Balotelli.
FC Basel's Subs: Vailati, Zuffi, Delgado, Kakitani, Calla, Gashi, Gonzalez.
Liverpool's Subs: Jones, Toure, Moreno, Lucas, Lallana, Lambert, Borini.
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