FC Basel Scouting Thread...

[Snarfalicious]

I'm not going to pretend like I have extensive knowledge about FC Basel. I did however watch the match against Zenit that they played on Thursday and will be finding an available replay of their home leg against Zenit. This thread will serve a similar purpose to the Inter Milan one that I felt was rather successful. Essentially, it's a place for us to discuss our next opponent in the Europa League.

The starting side for FC Basel was as follows:

Obviously, Basel went with the 4-2-3-1. Streller is their leading goal scorer in the RSL with 12 goals, Frei (Started match on the bench) is second on the squad with 6, Stocker is 3rd with 4 goals, and Degen/Salah round out the top 5 with 3 goals a piece. Stocker has been their main setup man in the RSL with 10 assists and is a really good young player who I feel would actually be a good addition for Tottenham, and I hope he proves it in a way that doesn't hurt us, but shows enough to catch AVB's eye.

Against Zenit in the 2nd leg they faced the following lineup:

Needless to say, this is a strong lineup. Zenit currently sit in 3rd in the Russian Premier League 8 points off the leaders CSKA Moscow.

Looking at this side, there's a lot of good players. Plenty of these players would be starters in the upper portion of the PL Table sides. Kerzhakov is an upgrade on our strikers and obviously some very very talented players in Hulk, Witsel and Danny in attack. Despite this, there's still a lack of a real gel in this unit that I don't think can be said about our fellas when the guys who should be starting, are starting. Malafeev, Zenit's first-choice GK, did not make this game, but it really didn't mean much in the end.


***I'll have more on the style on play in the following post as this post is a bit extended due to formations. Once I type up the notes, I'll post them here. If you have any information on them, I'm sure many on this forum (myself included) would find it to be informative. ***

 

[Wellspurs]

Stella in Switzerland it is then, is Christian Gross still manager??

 

[mano-obe]

Stella in Switzerland it is then, is Christian Gross still manager??

I think he's out of a job now, he was at young boys for a while


Those were the days! I wonder if he has an oyster card?

 

[Strikeb4ck]

Hey guys, I'm Swiss so I can probably lend a hand. I feel quite conflicted at the moment because although I'm religious with Spurs I'd hate to see a Swiss side go out. All the UEFA points we get helps. Close to having an additional side in Europe if I'm not mistaken.

Anyways, Basel played their (more or less) starting XI vs Zenit in the second leg. There are some players that also get starts (you may know guys like Fabian Frei from the UCL games vs Man Utd, two assists then if I remember right). The team has lost a bit of it's dominance with the transfers of Shaqiri and Xhaka who are two of Switzerland's brightest stars and best players. Streller and A. Frei are also both getting older (still deadly though). They didn't really get outstanding replacements but they are one of the breeding grounds for Swiss youth talent and that's why other internationals like Stocker, F. Frei, Schar, Degen brothers, etc are all readily available. The manager is someone I'm a big fan of, Murat Yakin. I think he may eventually move to a big league, he has a great pedigree. He took Thun to great heights despite some serious squad limits in his couple of years there. Last season he took the Luzern job and they finished runners up in a great season. Now he is at Basel and though their league form was a bit iffy at the beginning, they are this far in Europe and really everything is starting to click.

Since after the winter break, Basel are in ridiculous form, unbeaten up until the Zenit away leg. They are focused on the league for sure, in which they have a dogfight vs Grasshoppers who they are two points behind. However, they will share their focus on Europe too (pretty similar to us, really). I look at them a bit like Liverpool in that they are only just now seeming to hit top form.

They played a lot of second string players against Zenit in the first leg (had a game vs rivals Young Boys at the weekend) and absolutely demolished the Russian side. I watched and I kid you not, they could have had 6-7 in the first half alone. Salah missed about 5 wide open chances, missed an empty net too. It was some of the most appalling finishing I've ever seen from a player. In they end though their quality shone through and they were able to win it 2-0. Could and should have been WAY more.

First team squad...

GK Sommer - Fucking quality. Will go to a big club soon especially as he gets more international recognition, unfortunately Benaglio (the Swiss no. 1) is a stud too. Could definitely play EPL.
RB P. Degen - Was an international starter until Lichsteiner took his spot (Lichsteiner is one of the best RBs in the world so that's not a bad thing really), a solid player with pace to burn. Will attack and go forward, not the best in defense but LM will have to track his runs.
CB Dragovic - Young Austrian that has been a first teamer since 19. Very good defender, strong in the air.
CB Schar - Just came on the scene recently after being a starter since 17 at Wil (transferred in summer) and has been impressing A LOT. Completely shut down Hulk and Kerzakhov in the Zenit games. They didn't get a thing against him. Switzerland has had a couple young CBs come through the ranks of late but none really hit full potential so there is a lot of hope/expectations with this guy. I like him a lot.
LB Park - Been a mainstay in the team in recent seasons. I'm a big fan of his. Genuinely one of the most underrated players in world football, another player I think could play in the EPL easily. He was easily one of the best performers when Basel took out United.
CM Cabral - Reminds me a bit of Parker but with better mobility and creativity, but less composed on the ball. Good player. Bit up and down though, streaky for sure.
CM #2 - Changes a lot, Yakin picks based on the opponent. Steinhofer, Yapi Yapo, El Nenny, Serey Die all serve different functions but know how to play. CM isn't really the strong spot though.
CAM Diaz - Chilean that joined this season but has underwhelmed a bit. Had big shoes to fill in Xhaka's departure but hasn't really lived up to those levels. However he is very dangerous because he really is one of those South American playmakers, tricky on the ball and with a GREAT eye for a pass. Has played a lot better of late so might be one to watch.
RAM Salah - This guy would be topscorer by miles in the RSL if he could finish. Can tell he sees the game real well because he is always making very dangerous runs. Of late he has started to click with Diaz and that is why he was alone in front of goal or with a great scoring chance so much in the first leg vs Zenit. This is definitely a danger man though because every couple of games he just plays incredibly well and is a real threat.
LAM Stocker - Swiss international. Good homemade replacement for Shaqiri. Not quite as good of course but a solid winger. I think of him a bit like Adam Johnson.
ST Streller - Another Swiss international. Great holdup player and absolutely lethal in the air which means Dawson will have to go against him. Now obviously Dawson is great at these physical battles but Streller really is a BIG guy. There was a video a while back of him benchpressing 300+ lbs. Interesting to see how we handle him. I'd compare him to an Andy Carroll with better holdup play and technical ability, smart player too (makes up for the lack of pace), decent finisher, but not as quick and not as powerful with the shooting.

Of course there is also Alexander Frei who has been starting on the bench recently, if you've seen any of Switzerland's matches over the past 10 years you'll know him. Longtime captain, all time leading goal scorer. Great player but hitting the end of his career. Could start. Zoua is also a good option up top. Bit unorthodox but that's what makes him dangerous.

Their strength is in defense, like the natl. team. Very tough to break down with 4 good players at the back, a solid box to box player in Cabral, and a generally defensive selection in the other CM spot. I think they've only conceded 5 in the last 10 games or something like that.
CM isn't great but they do what they have to do.
The attack is average but with a lot of potential. Diaz and Salah, if clicking, can cause real problems. Stocker is someone you have to pay attention to on the other flank. Streller is a handful.

So overall, really they are VERY similar to us. They are hitting top form after the winter break. Two very good young managers. Both just recently had their first loss in a long time. Both have perhaps league obligations that are more important but neither side will half-ass the EL at this stage. Could make several more comparisons. Either way this team is very dangerous and will not be a walkover at all. I said the same thing when we played YB away and not many listened, and if you remember we were 3-0 down in minutes. This will be a tough task and though by names they probably aren't the biggest in the competition, this will be an advancing we have to earn. I could easily see this ending up in extra time or just a 1 goal aggregate win either way.

They play Thun Sunday in what should be a win, but they may be a bit tired after 4 games in 2 weeks and the trip to Russia. Probably won't be a top performance from them. However they have to win because Grasshoppers have an 'easy' (table-wise) match vs Luzern that they will probably win.

 

[spivmaster]

You're scaring me, Strikeb4ck

 

[Strikeb4ck]

Haha. Just figured I'd help. I watch a game or two every weekend depending on what streams I find here in the States, and I watch full highlights for each matchday. I did the same big scouting report when we play YB.

 

[Cavehillspur]

Isn't Diaz is suspended for the first leg?

 

[Gbspurs]

Didnt that Degen play for young boys when we played them? Seem to remember him giving us a hard time.

 

[sweyid]

I haven't watched much of Basel, but from what I've seen their keeper is pure class. Quite small but very agile and mobile. Impressed me alot in both games against United.

 

[Strikeb4ck]

Isn't Diaz is suspended for the first leg?

Oh of course, good point. Yeah, Diaz got 2 yellows in the second Zenit game so he will be unavailable for the first leg. Most likely change is Frei in as sort of a 4-4-1-1 but Yakin is a crafty manager so who knows.

Yes, David Degen played for Young Boys when we played them.

 

[ostrov]

Kerzhakov is an upgrade on our strikers.
.....................................................
What a grave mistake

 

[Bus-Conductor]

Hey guys, I'm Swiss so I can probably lend a hand. I feel quite conflicted at the moment because although I'm religious with Spurs I'd hate to see a Swiss side go out. All the UEFA points we get helps. Close to having an additional side in Europe if I'm not mistaken.

Anyways, Basel played their (more or less) starting XI vs Zenit in the second leg. There are some players that also get starts (you may know guys like Fabian Frei from the UCL games vs Man Utd, two assists then if I remember right). The team has lost a bit of it's dominance with the transfers of Shaqiri and Xhaka who are two of Switzerland's brightest stars and best players. Streller and A. Frei are also both getting older (still deadly though). They didn't really get outstanding replacements but they are one of the breeding grounds for Swiss youth talent and that's why other internationals like Stocker, F. Frei, Schar, Degen brothers, etc are all readily available. The manager is someone I'm a big fan of, Murat Yakin. I think he may eventually move to a big league, he has a great pedigree. He took Thun to great heights despite some serious squad limits in his couple of years there. Last season he took the Luzern job and they finished runners up in a great season. Now he is at Basel and though their league form was a bit iffy at the beginning, they are this far in Europe and really everything is starting to click.

Since after the winter break, Basel are in ridiculous form, unbeaten up until the Zenit away leg. They are focused on the league for sure, in which they have a dogfight vs Grasshoppers who they are two points behind. However, they will share their focus on Europe too (pretty similar to us, really). I look at them a bit like Liverpool in that they are only just now seeming to hit top form.

They played a lot of second string players against Zenit in the first leg (had a game vs rivals Young Boys at the weekend) and absolutely demolished the Russian side. I watched and I kid you not, they could have had 6-7 in the first half alone. Salah missed about 5 wide open chances, missed an empty net too. It was some of the most appalling finishing I've ever seen from a player. In they end though their quality shone through and they were able to win it 2-0. Could and should have been WAY more.

First team squad...

GK Sommer - Fucking quality. Will go to a big club soon especially as he gets more international recognition, unfortunately Benaglio (the Swiss no. 1) is a stud too. Could definitely play EPL.
RB P. Degen - Was an international starter until Lichsteiner took his spot (Lichsteiner is one of the best RBs in the world so that's not a bad thing really), a solid player with pace to burn. Will attack and go forward, not the best in defense but LM will have to track his runs.
CB Dragovic - Young Austrian that has been a first teamer since 19. Very good defender, strong in the air.
CB Schar - Just came on the scene recently after being a starter since 17 at Wil (transferred in summer) and has been impressing A LOT. Completely shut down Hulk and Kerzakhov in the Zenit games. They didn't get a thing against him. Switzerland has had a couple young CBs come through the ranks of late but none really hit full potential so there is a lot of hope/expectations with this guy. I like him a lot.
LB Park - Been a mainstay in the team in recent seasons. I'm a big fan of his. Genuinely one of the most underrated players in world football, another player I think could play in the EPL easily. He was easily one of the best performers when Basel took out United.
CM Cabral - Reminds me a bit of Parker but with better mobility and creativity, but less composed on the ball. Good player. Bit up and down though, streaky for sure.
CM #2 - Changes a lot, Yakin picks based on the opponent. Steinhofer, Yapi Yapo, El Nenny, Serey Die all serve different functions but know how to play. CM isn't really the strong spot though.
CAM Diaz - Chilean that joined this season but has underwhelmed a bit. Had big shoes to fill in Xhaka's departure but hasn't really lived up to those levels. However he is very dangerous because he really is one of those South American playmakers, tricky on the ball and with a GREAT eye for a pass. Has played a lot better of late so might be one to watch.
RAM Salah - This guy would be topscorer by miles in the RSL if he could finish. Can tell he sees the game real well because he is always making very dangerous runs. Of late he has started to click with Diaz and that is why he was alone in front of goal or with a great scoring chance so much in the first leg vs Zenit. This is definitely a danger man though because every couple of games he just plays incredibly well and is a real threat.
LAM Stocker - Swiss international. Good homemade replacement for Shaqiri. Not quite as good of course but a solid winger. I think of him a bit like Adam Johnson.
ST Streller - Another Swiss international. Great holdup player and absolutely lethal in the air which means Dawson will have to go against him. Now obviously Dawson is great at these physical battles but Streller really is a BIG guy. There was a video a while back of him benchpressing 300+ lbs. Interesting to see how we handle him. I'd compare him to an Andy Carroll with better holdup play and technical ability, smart player too (makes up for the lack of pace), decent finisher, but not as quick and not as powerful with the shooting.

Of course there is also Alexander Frei who has been starting on the bench recently, if you've seen any of Switzerland's matches over the past 10 years you'll know him. Longtime captain, all time leading goal scorer. Great player but hitting the end of his career. Could start. Zoua is also a good option up top. Bit unorthodox but that's what makes him dangerous.

Their strength is in defense, like the natl. team. Very tough to break down with 4 good players at the back, a solid box to box player in Cabral, and a generally defensive selection in the other CM spot. I think they've only conceded 5 in the last 10 games or something like that.
CM isn't great but they do what they have to do.
The attack is average but with a lot of potential. Diaz and Salah, if clicking, can cause real problems. Stocker is someone you have to pay attention to on the other flank. Streller is a handful.

So overall, really they are VERY similar to us. They are hitting top form after the winter break. Two very good young managers. Both just recently had their first loss in a long time. Both have perhaps league obligations that are more important but neither side will half-ass the EL at this stage. Could make several more comparisons. Either way this team is very dangerous and will not be a walkover at all. I said the same thing when we played YB away and not many listened, and if you remember we were 3-0 down in minutes. This will be a tough task and though by names they probably aren't the biggest in the competition, this will be an advancing we have to earn. I could easily see this ending up in extra time or just a 1 goal aggregate win either way.

They play Thun Sunday in what should be a win, but they may be a bit tired after 4 games in 2 weeks and the trip to Russia. Probably won't be a top performance from them. However they have to win because Grasshoppers have an 'easy' (table-wise) match vs Luzern that they will probably win.

Excellent stuff.
Thanks for taking the time to do that.

 

[Strikeb4ck]

Basel won 1-0 on Sunday while Grasshoppers could only manage a scoreless draw against Luzern, so the two are now level on points at the top of the table. The Swiss league is fairly open but most analysts are saying Grasshoppers have the slightly easier run-in.

The team was clearly tired and travel weary but their class shone through in the end against a poor Thun side. Basel controlled the game and even missed a penalty, there weren't really any chances for Thun which is another testament to the Basel defense.

Streller scored a beautiful goal late that won it, here are the highlights.

 

[haxman]

Your English is better than that of most on here.

Thanks for the updates.

 

[E17yid]

Hey guys, I'm Swiss so I can probably lend a hand. I feel quite conflicted at the moment because although I'm religious with Spurs I'd hate to see a Swiss side go out. All the UEFA points we get helps. Close to having an additional side in Europe if I'm not mistaken.

Anyways, Basel played their (more or less) starting XI vs Zenit in the second leg. There are some players that also get starts (you may know guys like Fabian Frei from the UCL games vs Man Utd, two assists then if I remember right). The team has lost a bit of it's dominance with the transfers of Shaqiri and Xhaka who are two of Switzerland's brightest stars and best players. Streller and A. Frei are also both getting older (still deadly though). They didn't really get outstanding replacements but they are one of the breeding grounds for Swiss youth talent and that's why other internationals like Stocker, F. Frei, Schar, Degen brothers, etc are all readily available. The manager is someone I'm a big fan of, Murat Yakin. I think he may eventually move to a big league, he has a great pedigree. He took Thun to great heights despite some serious squad limits in his couple of years there. Last season he took the Luzern job and they finished runners up in a great season. Now he is at Basel and though their league form was a bit iffy at the beginning, they are this far in Europe and really everything is starting to click.

Since after the winter break, Basel are in ridiculous form, unbeaten up until the Zenit away leg. They are focused on the league for sure, in which they have a dogfight vs Grasshoppers who they are two points behind. However, they will share their focus on Europe too (pretty similar to us, really). I look at them a bit like Liverpool in that they are only just now seeming to hit top form.

They played a lot of second string players against Zenit in the first leg (had a game vs rivals Young Boys at the weekend) and absolutely demolished the Russian side. I watched and I kid you not, they could have had 6-7 in the first half alone. Salah missed about 5 wide open chances, missed an empty net too. It was some of the most appalling finishing I've ever seen from a player. In they end though their quality shone through and they were able to win it 2-0. Could and should have been WAY more.

First team squad...

GK Sommer - Fucking quality. Will go to a big club soon especially as he gets more international recognition, unfortunately Benaglio (the Swiss no. 1) is a stud too. Could definitely play EPL.
RB P. Degen - Was an international starter until Lichsteiner took his spot (Lichsteiner is one of the best RBs in the world so that's not a bad thing really), a solid player with pace to burn. Will attack and go forward, not the best in defense but LM will have to track his runs.
CB Dragovic - Young Austrian that has been a first teamer since 19. Very good defender, strong in the air.
CB Schar - Just came on the scene recently after being a starter since 17 at Wil (transferred in summer) and has been impressing A LOT. Completely shut down Hulk and Kerzakhov in the Zenit games. They didn't get a thing against him. Switzerland has had a couple young CBs come through the ranks of late but none really hit full potential so there is a lot of hope/expectations with this guy. I like him a lot.
LB Park - Been a mainstay in the team in recent seasons. I'm a big fan of his. Genuinely one of the most underrated players in world football, another player I think could play in the EPL easily. He was easily one of the best performers when Basel took out United.
CM Cabral - Reminds me a bit of Parker but with better mobility and creativity, but less composed on the ball. Good player. Bit up and down though, streaky for sure.
CM #2 - Changes a lot, Yakin picks based on the opponent. Steinhofer, Yapi Yapo, El Nenny, Serey Die all serve different functions but know how to play. CM isn't really the strong spot though.
CAM Diaz - Chilean that joined this season but has underwhelmed a bit. Had big shoes to fill in Xhaka's departure but hasn't really lived up to those levels. However he is very dangerous because he really is one of those South American playmakers, tricky on the ball and with a GREAT eye for a pass. Has played a lot better of late so might be one to watch.
RAM Salah - This guy would be topscorer by miles in the RSL if he could finish. Can tell he sees the game real well because he is always making very dangerous runs. Of late he has started to click with Diaz and that is why he was alone in front of goal or with a great scoring chance so much in the first leg vs Zenit. This is definitely a danger man though because every couple of games he just plays incredibly well and is a real threat.
LAM Stocker - Swiss international. Good homemade replacement for Shaqiri. Not quite as good of course but a solid winger. I think of him a bit like Adam Johnson.
ST Streller - Another Swiss international. Great holdup player and absolutely lethal in the air which means Dawson will have to go against him. Now obviously Dawson is great at these physical battles but Streller really is a BIG guy. There was a video a while back of him benchpressing 300+ lbs. Interesting to see how we handle him. I'd compare him to an Andy Carroll with better holdup play and technical ability, smart player too (makes up for the lack of pace), decent finisher, but not as quick and not as powerful with the shooting.

Of course there is also Alexander Frei who has been starting on the bench recently, if you've seen any of Switzerland's matches over the past 10 years you'll know him. Longtime captain, all time leading goal scorer. Great player but hitting the end of his career. Could start. Zoua is also a good option up top. Bit unorthodox but that's what makes him dangerous.

Their strength is in defense, like the natl. team. Very tough to break down with 4 good players at the back, a solid box to box player in Cabral, and a generally defensive selection in the other CM spot. I think they've only conceded 5 in the last 10 games or something like that.
CM isn't great but they do what they have to do.
The attack is average but with a lot of potential. Diaz and Salah, if clicking, can cause real problems. Stocker is someone you have to pay attention to on the other flank. Streller is a handful.

So overall, really they are VERY similar to us. They are hitting top form after the winter break. Two very good young managers. Both just recently had their first loss in a long time. Both have perhaps league obligations that are more important but neither side will half-ass the EL at this stage. Could make several more comparisons. Either way this team is very dangerous and will not be a walkover at all. I said the same thing when we played YB away and not many listened, and if you remember we were 3-0 down in minutes. This will be a tough task and though by names they probably aren't the biggest in the competition, this will be an advancing we have to earn. I could easily see this ending up in extra time or just a 1 goal aggregate win either way.

They play Thun Sunday in what should be a win, but they may be a bit tired after 4 games in 2 weeks and the trip to Russia. Probably won't be a top performance from them. However they have to win because Grasshoppers have an 'easy' (table-wise) match vs Luzern that they will probably win.

Cheers mate. Great report. I'm sure Andre could do with some in depth opposition reports. Are you looking for work? .

 

[Strikeb4ck]

Your English is better than that of most on here.

Thanks for the updates.

Haha I've actually lived in the US since I was 7 (19 now) so that's why I don't type like a foreigner. I just like to keep up to date with football in my homeland, I watch a game or so a week and always catch the highlights.

 

[nightgoat]

They play Thun Sunday in what should be a win, but they may be a bit tired after 4 games in 2 weeks and the trip to Russia. Probably won't be a top performance from them. However they have to win because Grasshoppers have an 'easy' (table-wise) match vs Luzern that they will probably win.

Thanks for the report. Do you think that as the Swiss league has the same level of Champions League qualification for the first and second teams Basel may take their eye off the league to try to go all out for the Europa League, or will they not prioritise one or the other? Also, looking at their fixtures they have Luzern away before the first leg and St. Gallen away before the second leg, Luzern being second bottom and St. Gallen third. How much do you think either game will affect their preparation before the Europa League games? Are they likely to rest players?

 

[TheAmerican]

The game will come down to our defense containing Marco Streller and Alexander Frei and getting past Sommer. Sommer is true quality, a fantastic young keeper.

 

[Wardy]

Is streller that guy that ripped United apart in the Champions League?

I love how Basel are a real underdog team.. no one really knows much about them, yet they are very good side!

 

[TheAmerican]

Is streller that guy that ripped United apart in the Champions League?

I love how Basel are a real underdog team.. no one really knows much about them, yet they are very good side!

I don't know if I would say he ripped them apart, I think he had a goal though. Looking at their highlights, they don't seem to have anyone that cuts through defenses with dribbling, they just have an insanely well connected Streller and Frei who make some killer setups together.