A single goal made by Valentin Stocker settled the first encounter against FC Basel. The second leg will take place in Bloomfield next week
St. Jakob Park Stadium welcomed Maccabi Tel Aviv for the first game of the third round of the Champions League qualifying round against Switzerland's champion, FC Basel. Only 12,353 spectators came to see the hosting team score one goal by Valentin Stocker during the first half, taking the 1-0 advantage to the second leg next week.
The home team put on the pressure at the beginning of the game and Maccabi Tel Aviv's goalkeeper, Juan Pablo, had to save a ball from an offensive following a dangerous corner ball by Basel. The Swiss team continued to move the ball toward the yellow goal, but failed to create real opportunities in the first half hour. With the first kick to threaten Juan Pablo, the hosts took a 1-0 advantage in Minute 39, following a team effort that culminated in an accurate kick by Valentin Stocker. Immediately thereafter, Omri Altman tested Yann Sommer, who maintained a clean net at the end of a mediocre display of football at the half.
The second half started with some dangerous attempts by Maccabi Tel Aviv, but it was Ziv who had to save from the line a dangerous ball which hit him. The yellow team continued to show signs of improvement and Prica missed a convenient heading opportunity. At the other end, the hosts almost took advantage of a mistake in the yellow defense, but Mohamed Salah missed. Maccabi Tel Aviv's best opportunity appeared in Minute 70, when Prica kicked a powerful ball which hit the goalpost. No special events were recorded in the time remaining and next Tuesday, Maccabi Tel Aviv will face the challenge of overturning the loss and going on to the playoffs.
