Steffen earns Basel home draw against Ludogorets
Tuesday, September 13, 2016
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Jonathan Cafú's goal for Ludogorets Razgrad on the cusp of half-time was cancelled out late on by Renato Steffen as the Group A points were shared in Switzerland.
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Basel recovered from a goal down to salvage a draw against Ludogorets Razgrad in UEFA Champions League Group A.
Birkir Bjarnason wasted a good early opportunity for Basel before teeing up Renato Steffen for another chance in a bright opening for the hosts. However, Ludogorets' threat on the counterattack was constant and that is how Urs Fischer's men came undone.
Just after Bjarnason failed to make more of a fine Matías Delgado pass at one end, a measured Marcelinho through ball found Jonathan Cafú, who twisted Marek Suchý inside out before sliding a shot across Tomáš Vaclík.
Basel's endeavours were rewarded 11 minutes from time when Michael Lang crossed from the right, Ludogorets keeper Vladislav Stoyanov could only help the ball on and Steffen hooked it in at the far post.
Key Player: Renato Steffen (Basel)
Steffen created Basel's best opportunity with his quick-thinking early in the second half before levelling things up.
Work to do for Basel
It was suggested Basel's two games against Ludogorets would be their most important in the group stage, considering their realistic objective of finishing third. With only a draw at home, they now must pick up points against Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal to boost their hopes of remaining in Europe after Christmas.
Ludogorets ambition
Two seasons ago Ludogorets aimed to claim a point in a group comprising Real Madrid, Liverpool and Basel; they garnered four. Now they want to go further and still be in UEFA competition come spring 2017. Bigger tests against Arsenal and Paris lie ahead, but this point will only increase confidence.
UEFA.com team reporters' views
Ben Gladwell, Basel (@UEFAcomBenG)
It was not the start Basel wanted to make to their UEFA Champions League campaign, yet it could have been worse against a tricky Ludogorets side. Fischer will nevertheless not be happy with his team's first failure to win this term.
Stoyan Georgiev, Ludogorets (@UEFAStoyanG)
Ludogorets' attacking prowess is well known, but here they showed they can defend on the big stage against a club that had won eight games out of eight this season. Georgi Dermendzhiev's charges managed to restrict Basel to little in the way of presentable opportunities.