Basel v Paris: line-ups, where to watch, form guide
Monday, October 31, 2016
Article summary
Urs Fischer is urging Basel to play "as we did in Paris, if not a bit better", his side hoping that bad luck and wayward finishing will not dog them in the return fixture in Group A.
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Article body
- Basel boss Fischer proud of performance in 3-0 defeat in Paris two weeks ago
- Swiss side are seven matches unbeaten at home in 2016/17
- Cavani has scored 18 goals in 17 games for club and country this term
- Cavani is one of just two players to have scored on every matchday this season
Possible line-ups
Basel: Vaclík; Gaber, Suchý, Balanta, Traoré; Serey Dié, Xhaka; Callà, Delgado, Bjarnason; Doumbia.
Doubtful: Lang (ankle), Steffen (illness)
Misses next match if booked: Steffen
Paris: Aréola; Meunier, Marquinhos, Thiago Silva, Kurzawa; Matuidi, Verratti, Thiago Motta; Di María, Cavani, Lucas.
Out: Aurier (ankle)
Doubtful: Pastore (calf)
Misses next match if booked: Thiago Motta
Where to watch
Fans can find their local UEFA Champions League broadcast partner(s) here
Urs Fischer, Basel coach
It would be really wrong to sit back and focus on the game against Ludogorets in Sofia. We don't know what they will do – they are at home to Arsenal and what happens if they win? We've got to focus on ourselves and try to play as we did in Paris, if not a bit better.
You need that bit of luck and we didn't have that on our side in Paris – we hit the post three times. Now it is up to us to repeat that performance and maybe take one or two of our chances.
Unai Emery, Paris coach
We've been playing well in terms of possession, but in our attack and our overall cohesion we need to improve. We are making progress and when you win and move up the league table, it gives you more confidence. So if we can go through that will speed up our improvement. We want to qualify, but the objective is not merely to go through but to win the group.
This is a big club and a lot of people are following what happens here every day. We are working to achieve big things and there are big demands. You've got to work hard – collectively – and then you need to win all the games you can. For me, criticism is normal. It goes with the territory.
Weekend results
Grasshoppers 0-2 Basel(Delgado 17 22p)
Basel remain unbeaten in 13 Swiss Super League games this term following a routine success in Zurich, Matías Delgado getting his sixth and seventh goals of the campaign.
LOSC 0-1 Paris (Cavani 65)
Edinson Cavani fired in from Ángel Di María's cross for his 18th goal of the season for club and country. Paris are unbeaten in six in all competitions (W5 D1).
Form guide (all competitions, most recent first)
Basel: WWDLWD
Paris: WDWWWW
Reporter's view: Ben Gladwell (@UEFAcomBenG)
Basel showed in Paris what they are capable of, hitting the woodwork three times, but equally PSG demonstrated how ruthless and effective they can be. The latter qualities are particularly important in matches like these, and Basel have had a fortnight to try to develop them. With their fans behind them, Basel can certainly be expected to raise their game further, yet unless luck turns their way, that might not be enough to pick up their first group win.
Did you know?
The Swiss side have lost only once in seven home fixtures against Ligue 1 teams. To find out who the ill-starred victors were, check out our extensive match background.