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A storm of Biblical proportions swept through Thessaloniki on Monday afternoon. The overwhelming heat has cooled for the moment, and the natural storm can also have a purifying effect on FC Basel. It will take a cold head to pass the first qualifying mission this Tuesday, and the atmosphere in the Toumba stadium will be hot anyway, no matter how the weather develops.
One thing is not this title, if we follow the thought of President Bernhard Burgener: Last week called the realization of the Champions League. It's also a long way to go. There are three knockout rounds to survive, six games that are integrated into the league's routine until the end of August.
Behind the finish line looms not only a sports reputation, but a jackpot that Basel has never seen: thanks to the reformed distribution of funds, the FCB has cut more than 37 million francs before the first balloon in the group stage. A question of self-confidence
A certain serenity regarding the economic / financial aspect can be admitted by the inhabitants of Basel, because the transfer receipts in 2018 already far exceed the limit of 50 million francs. At the end of the year, there will be an advantage.
At least, the Europa League, where there is much less, but also a few million to win, wants to play FCB. And for this, the Uefa has built in net and double bottom. That means: If the FCB withdraws against PAOK, it does the elimination of the Europa League (against Viitorul or Vitesse Arnhem). If he made a round in the Champions League (then against Spartak Moscow), he already has the certainty that the group stage of the Europa League is already assured.
https://tageswoche.ch/sport/in-der-champions-league-qualifikation -Wuerde-the-fcb-on-spartak-moscow-meeting /
On the way to Greece early Monday morning, Marco Streller has voluntarily pointed out that the FCB since he's been renamed as a sports director, for the third time the starting game lost a half-series. "It's not really scary of self-confidence.You do not come to Thessalonica with your very large chest."
PAOK's fifth attempt
In addition, Basel meets a host who s & # 39; Expected to survive at least in the first round – and this against a much higher opponent in the international rankings – the latest results from FCB and the loss of top performers are favored in the second-largest city in Greece.
The chronicle shows that the PAOK has been closed several times, PAOK made four attempts to reach the Champions League and each time it failed narrowly.Two times (2010 and 2016) it was not enough against Ajax Amsterdam despite a 1-1 draw, against Schalke 04 (2013) the same fate as the Greeks and also against Maccabi Tel Aviv (2004) they lost the short straw.
defended a series in Thessaloniki
FC Basel has only known qualifiers at the European Cup since the modern era, that is to say since 2002, when they got their place in the Champions League. The duel against Zilina (1: 1 and 3: 1) is at the start, followed by the mother of all qualified, the 2-0 in Basel against Celtic.
This revival experience was preceded by the game in Glasgow, but with 1: 3 was lost, but thanks to the 3: 3-final score, counting Auswärtstores twice was bearable. He is expected to remain the FCB's only loss in the first game outside of a co-qualifying round so far.
The FCB has already played ten times in foreign soil, won seven times and played three times in the draw. whenever a turn came.
It seems that the people of Basel feel the determination of the Greeks. Wicky has respect for this PAOK, who finished second in the league last season and winner of the cup, which has just paid more than two million euros to Brazilian winger Leo Jaba, transferring the more expensive in the history of the club. With nearly 27,000 spectators, Toumba can almost count on the depletion of stocks.
40 vs. 27,000
The FCB will be alone with 40 fans, who requested a ticket for the guest area. "Too bad" finds Valentin Stocker boycotting the Muttenzerkurve, who did not want to submit to the customization required when buying tickets. "I hope to have so much more support in a week to go home," said Stocker.
https://tageswoche.ch/sport/ivan-der-schreckliche-will-in-die-champions-league/
The coach looks the same: "We will do everything to allow our fans to bite in the home game. " Before that, the FCB must show how he is up to the level of an opponent that Wicky describes as very experienced and very well organized. at the core, unchanged from the previous season. In addition, Wicky suspects: "It will be very strong at every opportunity in the stadium, but we know the opponent very well.We are well prepared."
"… but these games must win then" [19659005] His sports director arrives in the same horn: "We know what to expect.It will be very hot and the stadium will be a cauldron.As a player, I was looking forward to such games." Streller recently recapitulated with ex-president Bernhard Heusler, who, like him, was part of the young Basel success story: "We do not know whether well-being and misfortune Recall how many critical situations there were at the moment a game decides on the progress of the club – but then you have to win those games. "
https://tageswoche.ch/sport/widmer-kann-nicht-nach- greece-reisen /
This times too much depends on how the performance is performed and the result, even Greek journalists Not interested in the eve of the match for the seriousness with which Wicky sees his future as a CBF coach. "I'm a positive person, and I do not want to waste energy on negative considerations," Wicky replied, "it's not about me."
"We are in the game with mixed feelings," admits Streller. you must also stay positive. It is not that we are totally uncertain. We have players who have played in the Champions League and who know what it is all about. "
Petretta for Widmer – the obvious option
When Raphael Wicky overcame the posture problem back after a breakdown of Silvan Widmer The triggers and if Tuesday becomes the Wicky Champions League again last season, then a counter-movement may go to skepticism, which has already spread around FC Basel.
Possible Proposals
PAOK Salonika (4-2-3-1): ] Paschalakis – Matos, Varella, Crespo, Vieirinha – Cañas, Mauricio – Limnios, Pelkas, Leo Jaba – Prijovic
FC Basel (4-2 -3-1): Omlin – Petretta, Suchy, Frei, Riveros – Zuffi, Serey Dié – Stocker, Kalulu, Bua – Ajeti
The role is directed by Robert Madley of England.
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