I awoke this morning to hear the relentless chatter of angry Manchester United fans, ranting and raving, angry that their team had managed no more than a 3-3 draw against Swiss Champions FC Basel.
This article is an attempt to enlighten these fans.
I believe each nation has a footballing culture. For example, the Brazilians are flamboyant and care-free, the Italians are defensively canny and the English are tough long-ball merchants. The Swiss have traditionally bored us all to death. I remember with very little fondness a turgid 0-0 draw in the last 16 stage of the 2006 FIFA World Cup between Switzerland and the Ukraine. Following 120 minutes of coma-inducing nothingness, Switzerland missed all three of their opening spot-kicks to exit the competition. This match typified Swiss football for me.
The Swiss have a distinctly average footballing history. Swiss teams have traditionally been very tight and compact, un-attractive and methodical in their approaches.
Yet one club has always broken the mould.
FC Basel, probably Switzerland’s biggest club, have always tried to buck the trend. Basel are a club renowned for playing open, entertaining football, which is why they’ve had a larger impact in Europe in recent years than compatriots such as FC Thun and Young Boys.
I visited Basel twice last year on a strictly touristic basis. The city is extremely bland. Aside from the tremendous wealth on show, there’s very little to see in this Helvetic centre. Indeed the only striking feature in this otherwise bland place was the football club.
Located on the outskirts of Basel is the Park St. Jakob. The exterior might look dated and drab but the stadium’s interior is a vibrant fan’s paradise. The stadium was built to generate a healthy atmosphere, with terracing at one end and colour in abundance.
It wasn’t only around the stadium that you found evidence of the city’s love of football. In the city centre numerous enterprises fly red and blue flags to emphasise their support of FC Basel. Wherever you look there are adverts and commercials, fronted by star players. It seems that in Basel the only way to get your business recognised is by getting a top local footballer to support it. As far as off-field activities are concerned Basel are outstanding, however these days they’re equally effective on the pitch.
FC Basel are one of Europe’s up and coming G14 suppliers. Their young, technically gifted side have already conquered Switzerland with ease. Now they’re ready for Europe.
I’m not suggesting that this team is going to be lifting any European trophies anytime soon. However they are out to make an impression on people with their stylish attacking football, and Manchester United were their first victims.
Basel have nurtured and educated some of Europe’s top young footballers.
Xherdan Shaqiri is without a doubt FC Basel’s star player. The midfielder was born in Kosovo (as were his team-mates, the equally promising Xhaka brothers), but moved to Switzerland to escape the conflicts in his homeland. Shaqiri is a gifted footballer, with a tremendous left foot. His skill is indisputable and his reputation is increasing with every breathtaking performance. Aged just 19 he is probably Switzerland’s key player. FC Basel know they won’t be able to keep hold of the prodigy for long, as Shaqiri is already attracting attention from some of Europe’s biggest clubs.
Shaqiri is an incredible talent, however he didn’t feature against United on Tuesday night. This possibly emphasises FC Basel’s strength in depth. They have a whole host of promising youngsters, including Granit Xhaka Fabian Frei and goal-keeper Yann Sommer.
Xhaka is they younger brother of team-mate Toulant and there’s no disputing who’s the superior sibling in this relationship. Granit shined in the recent UEFA U-21 championships as he dictated play for Switzerland. The central-midfielder plays a similar game to that of Catalan superstars Xavi and Iniesta, and he could very well be playing alongside the World Cup winners in the next few years if rumours are to be believed.
Sommer is one of the best young goal-keepers in the world. Famed for his shot-stopping, he’s gained quite a billing as a game-saving goalie. His agility and athleticism is very impressive, however it’s his positioning and foresight that put him in a different class to other young keepers. Much like a young Petr Cech he sees shots coming a few seconds before they’re struck. This is a gift that will see him on many top clubs’ shopping lists.
Frei is a more traditional Swiss player. He’s a hard worker and a determined runner. He may not be as skilfull as Shaqiri, or as intelligent as Xhaka or as naturally gifted as Sommer, but he’s seen as a real prospect for Swiss football. His goal at Old Trafford demonstrated his greatest characteristics.
These players are unlikely to stay at FC Basel for long. Nevertheless the club can be extremely proud that they’ve blooded such fantastic youngsters. They’ve also sent a message to other ambitious teenagers across Europe that they don’t need to join the big clubs aged 16 in order to make it as footballers.
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