Honours even for Guimarães and Basel

There was nothing between Vitória SC and FC Basel 1893 after the first leg of their UEFA Champions League third qualifying round tie as the sides played out a goalless draw in Portugal.

All to play for
Basel have already played five league games in Switzerland this season, and attempted to force the pace from the outset with Valentin Stocker and Ivan Ergić going close in the first half, although neither was able to find the target. Guimarães, meanwhile, were largely held at bay by a disciplined Basel defence as both sides' rearguards remained unbreached to set up a finely-poised second leg at the St. Jakob-Park on 27 August.

Counterattack danger
Stocker had the first glimpse of goal eight minutes in at the Estádio D. Afonso Henriques, an assist from Basel's Portuguese midfielder Carlitos setting up a chance his team-mate fired just past the post. Basel were largely happy to wait for counterattacking opportunities although they nearly came unstuck twice in quick succession just past the half-hour, Marquinho volleying just off-target before producing a fine header, although the latter only drew a comfortable save from Franco Constanzo. Carlitos then tried his luck from long range and Ergić also threatened with a header from a corner as half-time approached.

Defences on top
As the second period unfolded, Eren Derdiyok went close for Basel with a left-foot shot before, at the other end, a host of Guimarães forwards were just unable to provide the finishing touch to Fajardo's fine right-wing cross. In the main, however, the home side – who finished third in last season's Portuguese Liga – were unable to break down a stubborn Basel defence, despite Manuel Cajuda introducing both Roberto and Guimarães' own Carlitos in a bid to freshen up his attack, and both sides will hope for better attacking fortune in a fortnight.