On April 25, 2013, FC Basel hosted Chelsea in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League semi-final at St. Jakob-Park in Basel, Switzerland. Chelsea secured a 2-1 victory with a late winner, giving them the advantage going into the second leg at Stamford Bridge.
Key Statistics and Analysis
- Scoreline and Goal Timings:
- FC Basel: 1 (Fabian Schär 87′ (pen.))
- Chelsea: 2 (Victor Moses 12′, David Luiz 90+4′)
- Possession:
- Chelsea had 53% possession, while Basel had 47%. Chelsea’s control of the ball allowed them to manage the game effectively, particularly in the midfield, while Basel tried to hit on the counter.
- Shots:
- FC Basel registered 14 shots, with 6 on target, but struggled to break down Chelsea’s solid defense, barring the penalty. Chelsea had 12 shots, with 5 on target, making better use of their chances, especially from set pieces.
- Passing Accuracy:
- Chelsea had a passing accuracy of 81%, completing 442 passes out of 548 attempts. FC Basel had a passing accuracy of 77%, completing 392 passes out of 510 attempts. Both teams circulated the ball well, but Chelsea’s more direct play and pressing resulted in better chances.
- Defensive Statistics:
- Chelsea made 15 tackles compared to Basel’s 12, reflecting the visitors’ physical approach in midfield. Chelsea’s defense, led by John Terry and Branislav Ivanović, was resolute for most of the game, keeping Basel’s attacks at bay.
- Set Pieces:
- Chelsea’s first goal came from a corner in the 12th minute. Frank Lampard’s delivery found Victor Moses, who headed the ball into the net after Basel’s defense failed to clear effectively. Basel equalized in the 87th minute after César Azpilicueta fouled Valentin Stocker in the box, allowing Fabian Schär to convert the penalty. However, Chelsea secured the win deep into stoppage time when David Luiz scored a free-kick in the 94th minute, curling a left-footed shot into the bottom corner.
- Individual Performances:
- David Luiz was the standout performer for Chelsea, not only contributing defensively but also scoring the crucial late winner. Victor Moses had a strong game, opening the scoring and posing a constant threat to Basel’s defense. For FC Basel, Fabian Schär was composed under pressure, converting the penalty, while Mohamed Salah’s pace troubled Chelsea’s defense, though he was unable to convert his chances.
- Tactical Overview:
- Chelsea, managed by Rafael Benítez, deployed a 4-2-3-1 formation, focusing on disciplined defending and making use of set pieces. FC Basel, under Murat Yakin, used a 4-4-2 formation but struggled to break down Chelsea’s organized defense, often relying on quick transitions and counter-attacks. Basel created a few chances but lacked the cutting edge to break through open play.
- Disciplinary:
- The match saw four yellow cards, two for each team. Chelsea’s César Azpilicueta and Ramires were booked for fouls, while Fabian Schär and Valentin Stocker were cautioned for Basel. Azpilicueta’s foul in the box led to Basel’s penalty.
- Corners and Offsides:
- Chelsea won 6 corners compared to Basel’s 5, reflecting their set-piece prowess, which proved decisive in the game. Chelsea were caught offside once, while Basel were caught offside twice, both teams attempting to stretch the opposition’s defense.
Summary
Chelsea’s 2-1 victory over FC Basel in the first leg of the UEFA Europa League semi-final gave them a crucial advantage heading into the return leg at Stamford Bridge. Victor Moses’ early header put Chelsea in control, but Basel fought back, equalizing through a late penalty from Fabian Schär. Just as it seemed the match would end in a draw, David Luiz’s stoppage-time free-kick secured the win for Chelsea, giving them a valuable away win.
Chelsea’s disciplined defensive performance and effectiveness on set pieces were key to their victory, while Basel’s efforts, especially through Mohamed Salah’s pace, fell short of breaking down Chelsea’s well-organized defense. Basel remained hopeful after scoring the penalty but were undone by Chelsea’s quality in key moments.
The result set Chelsea up strongly for the second leg at Stamford Bridge, as they aimed to progress to the final and win the Europa League under Rafael Benítez’s management.
