Allen Hamilton

What: Champions League – Group C
Who: Basel vs Manchester United
When: Wednesday 7th December, 2011, at 19:45 UK time
Where: St. Jakob Park, Basel, Switzerland

A Famous Feat

Basel were written off too easily when the balls tumbled out of the pot for the
Group C Champions League draw. Even Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson underestimated the Swiss champions’ talents, fielding a much-weakened side when the two met at Old Trafford and (almost) paying the ultimate price. Had Ashley Young not rescued the Red Devils, Basel would have left England with three points.

For Basel this game has echoes with one of the club’s proudest ever Champions League moments. The Swiss giants, in the 2002/03 campaign, were faced with a similar do-or-die final day clash, against Liverpool. The Swiss side needed a draw to progress at Liverpool’s expense, and got it, in a 3-3 thriller at St. Jakob Park. That day, the current side’s top goal-getter Marco Streller was in the stands – and the striker well remembers those heroics; he wants a repeat.

"A point is not enough", said Streller, contrasting the situation against Liverpool. "Therefore, we won’t just sit back and leave it as a draw, we will keep on fighting because we want to win."

Domestically Basel have recovered from a lacklustre Super League start to lead the pack. Cream has, as always, risen to the top. But against Manchester United, Basel will take the place of creme fraiche to the English side’s clotted cream.

Taking No Chances

Manchester United know that their group stage performance has fallen below expectations, but none of that will matter if they can progress by gaining the result needed in Switzerland. For this, Sir Alex Ferguson too has called upon ghosts past, reminding his squad that this season’s displays are out of character and superb European form away from home has been a constant for the Red Devils in recent years.

"Our form away from home in Europe over the last three or four years has been fantastic", said Ferguson. "We’ve done really well and it needs to be that kind of performance on Wednesday."

But the Manchester United boss, who saw his side grind out a 1-0 win away to Aston Villa at the weekend – three points which came with a heavy price as Javier Hernandez went down with an injury which will keep him sidelined for three to four weeks – is well aware Basel have an advantage of sorts, by knowing only victory will do.

"The only advantage is they do need to win and they have to try to beat us", added the Scot.

Recent form

Basel:
Otelul Galati 2-3 Basel (22/11; Champions League)
FC Wil 2-3 Basel; AET (26/11; Swiss Cup)
Basel 1-0 Luzern (03/12; Super League)

Manchester United:
Manchester United 1-1 Newcastle United (26/11; Premier League)
Manchester United 1-2 Crystal Palace (30/11; League Cup)
Aston Villa 0-1 Manchester United (03/12; Premier League)

Key absences

Basel: Kay Voser; Gilles Yapi 

Manchester United: Javier Hernandez; Rafael da Silva; Fabio da Silva; Dimitar Berbatov; Anderson; Michael Owen; Tom Cleverley; Bebe

Players to watch

Basel – Marco Streller: The Switzerland international was in the crowd when Basel recorded a famous result to knock Liverpool out of the Champions League and progress. Streller is desperate to write his own similar kind of history and, having missed out on scoring at Old Trafford in the 3-3 draw, will want to find the back of the net this time.

Manchester United – Danny Welbeck: Having returned in the weekend match against Aston Villa after a spell on the sidelines, Sir Alex Ferguson may give Welbeck the chance to fire the Red Devils through to the knockout stage. With Javier Hernandez injured, this is a perfect opportunity for the Englishman to impress.

Match Prediction

Basel will fight tooth and nail in order to get the win needed to book a spot in the Round of 16. With such a feat within touching distance, a frenzied attacking display can be expected at St. Jakob Park. Manchester United can take advantage of this however, with some smart counter-attacking play and the pace of Welbeck, Ashley Young and Nani. A thriller is in prospect. Basel 1-2 Manchester United.


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