FC Zurich suffer 0:2 defeat against FC Basel
FC Zurich have lost their away game against FC Basel 0:2 this afternoon.
Already during the opening minutes of today’s game, FC Basel put the visitors from Zurich under considerable pressure and had the first good scoring opportunity by Ajeti just six minutes in – although he had come from an offside position – but his shot bounced off the post. In the very same minute, FC Zurich also had their first two opportunities of the afternoon by Stephen Odey and Antonio Marchesano, but the Basel defense was able to clear the ball in both instances.
In the 19th minute Ajeti then put FC Basel 1:0 in front following a combination play with Ricky van Wolfswinkel. And FC Basel continued to put pressure on FC Zurich's defense also in the minutes that followed as keeper Brecher kept out Aldo Kalulu's direct free-kick (31st minute) and Eray Cömert's long-range shot (32nd minute), and Noah Okafor's one-timer narrowly missed the Zurich goal (33rd minute).
Just three minutes after the half-time break, Raoul Petretta then scored the 2:0 to increase FC Basel's advantage to two goals. FC Zurich now got into the game a little better and had several chances to score through Hekuran Kryeziu (shot from around 20 meters that was aimed too high and flew over the goal in the 54th minute) and two opportunities by Adrian Winter in the 74th minute and Stephen Odey in the 77th minute that were both saved by the FC Basel keeper. As a result, the score remained unchanged until the final whistle and FC Zurich suffered a 0:2 defeat.
Next Thursday evening, 13 December 2018, FC Zurich will be facing PFC Ludogorets 1945 away in their final game of the UEFA Europa League group stage.