Prica rues Maccabi miss at Basel

Maccabi Tel-Aviv FC striker Rade Prica admitted that he would have a sleepless night after missing the visitors' best chance to equalise in their UEFA Champions League third qualifying round opener against FC Basel 1893. Prica, who played as the lone striker throughout, had a tough time against a well-organised defence but his chance came 20 minutes from the end when he burst free only for his shot to ricochet off the bar.

Rade Prica, Maccabi striker
I probably won't sleep tonight after missing the chance but I have to forget it as quickly as possible – a chance will come in the next match. I think it will be an open game next week. We are strong at home with fantastic fans and I think we have a good chance. It looked like we were afraid in the first half today and we did not play well but we were much better in the second half and deserved a goal.

Sheran Yeini, Maccabi captain
I think we have a good chance – we are a strong side at home. I cannot explain our performance in the first half. My best friend Rade should have scored today – he is a very good striker and he will score in the next match. I do not think that we showed too much respect – we respect every team we play against.

Fabian Frei, Basel midfielder
We played well in the first half and pressed them back but could not keep it up after the break. We are not robots and we cannot play pressing football for 90 minutes. However, we know that we should have controlled the match better and kept them on the back foot because Maccabi are a good side.