2015–16 FC Basel season

FC Basel

2015–16 season
Chairman	Bernhard Heusler
Manager	Urs Fischer
Ground	St. Jakob-Park, Basel, Switzerland
Super League	Season started on 18 July 2015
Swiss Cup	Eliminated in Quarterfinal
Champions League	Eliminated in Play-off round
Europa League	Group stage 1st in Round of 32
Top goalscorer	League: Janko (10) All: Janko (12)
Highest home attendance	Swiss League: 33,360 vs. Young Boys (25 October 2015) Champions League: 18,200 vs. Lech Poznań (5 August 2015) Europa League: 22,550 vs. Fiorentina (26 November 2015)
Lowest home attendance	Swiss League: 26,083 vs. Lugano (26 September 2015) Champions League: 15,620 vs. Maccabi Tel Aviv (19 August 2015) Europa League: 17,275 vs. Belenenses (22 October 2015)
← 2014–15 2016–17 →

The 2015–16 FC Basel season is the 123rd season in club history and the club's 21st consecutive season in the top flight of Swiss football. Basel are the reigning Swiss Super League champions. They prepared their season with various warm-up matches against teams from Ukraine, Germany and Netherlands. Their 2015–16 Swiss Super League season began on 19 July with a home game against Vaduz. By the winter break, having won fourteen and drawing one of the first 18 games, Basel led the league table by 10 points ahead of the Grasshoppers and 15 ahead of the Young Boys.

Basel were qualified for the 2015–16 Champions League in the Third qualifying round. The draw for the third qualifying round was held on 17 July 2015 and they were drawn against Lech Poznań. The first leg was played on 28 July in INEA Stadion, the return leg on 5 August 2015 in St. Jakob-Park. In the Play-off round their opponents were Maccabi Tel Aviv, but Basel failed to qualify for the Champions League groups stage. Because Basel failed to qualify for the Champions League group stage they dropped into the 2015–16 UEFA Europa League group stage. Basel were drawn into Group I, together with Fiorentina, Lech Poznań and Belenenses. Basel's first match was played away in Stadio Artemio Franchi in Florence on 17 September 2015. Because they finished as group winners Basel win continue in the knockout phase which starts in February 2016.

In the first round of the 2015–16 Swiss Cup, which was played on 15 August 2015, Basel were drawn away against Meyrin FC, winning 4:0. In the second round, played on 20 September 2015, Basel were drawn away against YF Juventus, winning 4:1. Then in the third round which was played on 28 October, Basel were drawn away against SV Muttenz. The match ended in a 5:1 win. The fourth round was played on 13 December 2015. But Basel lost away in the Stade Tourbillon against Sion after a penalty shoot out.

Club

Management

Paulo Sousa quit his Trainer position in Basel at the end of the 2014–15 season. On 18 June 2015 Basel announced that Urs Fischer had signed a three-year contract as first team manager.^[1] His assistants are Marco Walker and Markus Hoffmann. Massimo Colomba remained the Goalkeeper coach. Massimo Ceccaroni is head of the FCB Youth System. Coach of the Youth Team (U–21) was Thomas Häberli until October, at which time, due to the bad results, he had to step back and then Ceccaronii coached the team.

Position	Staff
Manager	Urs Fischer (since 18 June 2015)
1 Assistant manager	Marco Walker
2 Assistant manager	Markus Hoffmann
Goalkeeper Coach	Massimo Colomba
Team Administration	Gustav Nussbaumer
Youth Team Coach	Thomas Häberli Massimo Ceccaroni (since October 2015)
Youth Team Co-Coach	Roland Heri

Further information

Chairman	Mr Bernhard Heusler
Vice Chairman	Mr Adrian Knup
Finances	Mr Stephan Werthmüller
Sportdirector	Mr Georg Heitz
Marketing	Mr René Kamm
Ground (capacity and dimensions)	St. Jakob-Park (38,512[2]) (37,500 for international matches)[3] / 120x80 m)

Last updated: 1 July 2015
Source: FCB Official Site

Overview

Offseason and preseason

At the end of the 2014–15 FC Basel season four first team players left the club to continue their careers elsewhere. These were Fabian Schär to 1899 Hoffenheim, Fabian Frei to 1. FSV Mainz 05, Giovanni Sio to Stade Rennais and Arlind Ajeti. Also no longer in the team for this season was Marco Streller who ended his football career. As mentioned above Urs Fischer was the new first team manager. Basel's biggest signings for the beginning of the new season were Daniel Høegh from Odense Boldklub, Zdravko Kuzmanović from Inter Milan, Michael Lang from Grasshopper Club Zürich and Marc Janko who came in on a free transfer from Sydney FC. Also new in the team are Manuel Akanji, who transferred in from FC Winterthur, and Mirko Salvi who returned from his one-year loan to FC Biel-Bienne. Because Streller retired Matías Delgado was named as Captain, Marek Suchý and Kuzmanović as vice-captains.

The Campaign

Domestic League

Basel's priority aim for the season is to win the league championship for the seventh time in a row. Basel's 2015–16 Swiss Super League season began well with a home victory on 18 July against FC Vaduz. In fact they started the season very well, winning each of their first eight games. By the winter break Basel led the league table by 10 points ahead of the Grasshoppers and 15 ahead of the Young Boys. They had won fourteen and drawing one of the first 18 games, scoring 43 goals and conceding just 20.

Domestic Cup

Basel's clear aim for the 2015–16 Swiss Cup is to regain the title that they last won four seasons ago. In the previous three seasons they had ended the cup competitions as runners-up, in 2013 against Grasshopper Club Zürich, in 2014 against Zürich and the previous season 2015 against Sion. In the first round of this season's competition, which was played on 15 August 2015, Basel are drawn away against Meyrin FC, winning 4:0. In the second round Basel were drawn away against YF Juventus, which was played on 20 September. Because of safety reasons the game was not played in the YF Juventus home ground, Utogrund, but in the St. Jakob-Park. Then in the third round which was played on 28 October, Basel were drawn away against SV Muttenz. It was the first time that these two teams played against each other. The game was played at the Sportplatz Margelacker in front of a stadium record attendance of 5,800 and match ended in a 5:1 win for Basel. The fourth round was played on 13 December 2015 away in the Stade Tourbillon against Sion. But Basel lost after a penalty shoot out.

Champions League

Basel entered into this season's Champions League in the Third qualifying round. Their initial aim was to remain in the competition and reach the group stage. The draw for the third qualifying round was held on 17 July 2015 and they were drawn against Lech Poznań and in the play-off round against Maccabi Tel Aviv.

Lech Poznań (29 July 2015)

The first leg was played in INEA Stadion. Basel took the lead as Lang (24th min.) scored after a corner taken by Zuffi, but just two minutes later Lech Poznań equalized through Thomalla. Although Gashi missed a penalty (67th min.), Janko (77) and Callà (90+2) made the 3:1 away win complete.

Lech Poznań (5 August 2015)

The return leg in St. Jakob-Park ended in a home victory for Basel. Basel took control of the game early, but towards the half time break, and again just after, the match turned into a tough fight. French referee Ruddy Buquet had to show both teams three yellow cards before things calmed down again. Just as it looked like both teams would settle for the draw, Bjarnason scored his first goal for his new club in injury time to give Basel their 1:0 win.

Maccabi Tel Aviv (19 August 2015)

Basel had a home match in the first leg and they dominated from the first minute, but it was Zahavi who but Tel Aviv in the lead with their first chance (31st min.). Basel pushed harder and were awarded a penalty in the 39th minute which captain Delgado netted to equalize after he himself was fouled. Basel continued to dominate but were unable to score a goal until Embolo's 88th-minute goal seemed to have given Basel deserved win. But Zahavi equalised six minutes into added time for Maccabi. Basel had all statistics on their side, 68% possession, 741 to 254 passes, 16 to 5 attempts and 10 to 1 corners. The only statistic against them were the scored goals, as the match ended two goals each.

Maccabi Tel Aviv (19 August 2015)

The return game was played in front of a sold out Bloomfield Stadium with 13,350 spectators. Again Basel dominated the fixture. Zuffi gave the visitors an early lead with a wonderful free-kick (11). But Eran Zahavi's seventh goal of this season's competition levels the score in the 24th minute. Maccabi Tel-Aviv reached the UEFA Champions League group stage for the first time in a decade by withstanding a second-half FC Basel barrage and progressed on the away goals rule thanks to the characteristically composed finish from Eran Zahavi.

Basel's initial European aim, to remain in the Champions League and reach the knockout phase was therefore not achieved. In fact, can be described as disappointingly missed.

Europa League

Because Basel failed to qualify for the Champions League group stage they dropped into the 2015–16 UEFA Europa League group stage. The draw was held on 28 August 2015, 13:00 CEST, at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco and Basel were drawn into Group I, together with Fiorentina, Lech Poznań and Belenenses.

Fiorentina (17 September 2015)

Basel's first match was played away in Stadio Artemio Franchi in Florence. Fiorentina's new first team manager was Basel's ex-manager Paulo Sousa. Kalinić scored a fourth-minute opener for Fiorentina and they held the lead until well into the second half of the game. Fiorentina captain Gonzalo Rodríguez was sent off after 66 minutes and following his dismissal the Swiss club took charge and managed to draw level. Bjarnason beat Sepe with a low drive from the edge of the area on 71 minutes. Eight minutes later, Elneny capped the fightback in style. His super rising drive from outside the box completed the comeback success. With this 2:1 win Basel extended their unbeaten run to five matches in Europe this term.

Lech Poznań (1 October 2015)

The first home game in the Europa League group stage was against Lech Poznań, who had been opponents in the Champions League qualifying earlier in the season. Lech's Swiss midfielder Darko Jevtic was signed from Basel after a successful loan spell. The 22-year-old was born in [Basel] and came through the youth ranks at the Swiss club. The first half passed without much action, but the home team dominated. The Icelandic midfielder Birkir Bjarnason brought a long ball down with his chest at the edge of the penalty area, kept his balance under pressure, and then turned a finish past Maciej Gostomski to give the hosts the lead after 55 minutes. In the 90th minute Luca Zuffi made a cross from the right, Marc Janko controlled with his chest and laid off for the waiting Breel Embolo who finished with a powerful low volley. The final score 2:0 was a deserved result.

Belenenses (22 October 2015)

The third game in the group stage was the home match against Belenenses. Basel took an early lead after 15 minutes, Matías Delgado kicked an inswinging corner to the back post from the left and Michael Lang jumped highest to power his header into the goal from five metres. Belenenses leveled after 27 minutes with their first chance. A long ball forward was headed clear by Marek Suchý but it dropped to Leal who was 25 metres from goal. He hammered a low volley into the bottom corner and the ball bounced to evade the dive of Germano Vailati. During the extra time of the first half Luís Leal ran clear on the right flank, rushed into the area, playing the ball across the face of goal to Kuca who had easyest of finishes, tapping in from just three metres. During the second half Basel played forward non-stop, but were unable to score the equalizer. Until this 1:2 defeat Basel had been unbeaten this season, in the domestic league (nine games) and in Europe (six).

Belenenses (5 November 2015)

The return game against Belenenses was played in Estádio do Restelo two weeks after the home game. Basel took early command, a first chance from Breel Embolo hit the post after nine minutes, and Basel continued to dominate their opponents entirely. But it wasn't until very nearly half time that their efforts were rewarded. In the 44 minute Embolo was fouled in the penalty area by Filipe Ferreira and Marc Janko scored from the spot. Embolo himself scored the second goal after being played free by Luca Zuffis long deep pass into the penalty box which was flicked on by Janko. With this 2:0 victory Basel avenged their matchday three loss.

Fiorentina (26 November 2015)

Basel's third and last home match in the Europa League group stage was the return game against Fiorentina. Paulo Sousa returned to St. Jakob-Park, but this time to the visitors bench. Basel's first choice goalkeeper Vaclík injured himself shortly before kick-off and was replaced by Vailati. Federico Bernardeschi ended his personal run of 11 games without a goal with a first-half double (23 and 36 minute) to give Fiorentina a two-goal lead. After 26 minutes Facundo Roncaglia is punished with a red card after elbowing Breel Embolo in the face. Basel fight back into the game, Marek Suchý cut the gap before half-time (40) and then Mohamed Elneny equalised on 74 minutes. The game ended with the two all draw and Basel advance as Group I winners after recovering from being two down.

Lech Poznań (10 December 2015)

As written above, Basel were certain to finish top of the section before matchday six. For the last match in the group stage Basel had to travel to the INEA Stadion in Poznań. Lech Poznań had already lost to Basel three times this season and only a win would have given them any chance of making it through Group I. Unable to play were the defenders Akanji, P. Degen and Høegh (all three due to injury) and Suchý who was out suspended. Walter Samuel made his 100th UEFA club competition appearance playing this match. Reserve goalkeeper Vailati was again in Basel's starting team because first choice goalkeeper Vaclík was still injured. in the 44 Minute Vailati also injured himself as he played a log pass forward. So just before half time third goalkeeper Salivi was substituted in and made his professional debut for the club. Adonis Ajeti also made his debut for the club coming on as a substitute at half-time in place of Michael Lang.^[4] Jean-Paul Boëtius scored the only goal five minutes after half-time, it was his first for the Swiss champions.

Because Basel end this stage as group winners, they win continue (seeded in the draw) for the knockout phase which starts in February 2016. The draw for the round of 32 was held on 14 December 2015 and Basel were drawn against French side Saint-Étienne. The first leg will be played in Stade Geoffroy-Guichard on 18 February at 19:00 and the return leg in the St. Jakob-Park will be played on 25 February 2016 at 21:05.

Players

First team squad

The following is the list of the Basel first team squad. It also includes players that were in the squad the day the season started on 18 July but subsequently left the club after that date.

As of 27 August 2015 ^[5]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player 1 GK Tomáš Vaclík 3 DF Adama Traoré 4 DF Philipp Degen 5 DF Michael Lang 6 DF Walter Samuel 7 MF Luca Zuffi 8 MF Birkir Bjarnason 9 FW Andraž Šporar 10 MF Matías Delgado (Captain) 11 MF Shkëlzen Gashi 14 FW Yoichiro Kakitani 15 MF Alexander Fransson 16 DF Manuel Akanji 17 DF Marek Suchý (vice-captain)

No. Position Player 18 GK Germano Vailati 19 DF Behrang Safari 21 FW Marc Janko 22 MF Zdravko Kuzmanović 23 GK Mirko Salvi 24 MF Renato Steffen 26 DF Daniel Høegh 27 DF Naser Aliji 28 MF Robin Huser 33 MF Mohamed Elneny 34 MF Taulant Xhaka 36 FW Breel Embolo 38 FW Albian Ajeti 39 MF Davide Callà 77 FW Jean-Paul Boëtius

Out on loan

19		MF	Musa Araz (on loan at Winterthur until 30 June 2016)
20		MF	Veljko Simić (on loan at Schaffhausen from 30 December 2015 until 30 June 2016)[6]
		FW	Giovanni Sio (on loan at Rennes until 30 June 2016)
22		MF	Zdravko Kuzmanović (on loan at Udinese until 30 June 2016)[7]
23		GK	Mirko Salvi (on loan at Lugano from 7 January until 30 June 2016)[8]
24		FW	Ahmed Hamoudi (on loan at Zamalek until 30 June 2016)
27		DF	Naser Aliji (on loan at Vaduz from 1 July until 10 September 2015)
35		FW	Pak Kwang-Ryong (on loan at Biel-Bienne until 30 June 2016)

Transfers summer 2015

In

5		DF	Michael Lang (from Grasshopper Club Zürich Free Transfer)
8		MF	Birkir Bjarnason (from Pescara)[9]
21		FW	Marc Janko (from Sydney FC Free Transfer)
22		MF	Zdravko Kuzmanović (from Inter Milan)
26		DF	Daniel Høegh (from Odense BK)
77		FW	Jean-Paul Boëtius (from Feyenoord)

Out

		FW	Derlis González (to Dynamo Kyiv)
		DF	Fabian Schär (to TSG Hoffenheim)
		MF	Fabian Frei (to 1.FSV Mainz 05)
		GK	Pascal Albrecht (to FC St. Gallen II Free Transfer)
		DF	Arlind Ajeti (to Unattached)
		DF	Gastón Sauro (to Columbus Crew SC)
		FW	Marco Streller (end of career)

Transfers winter 2015/16

In

9		FW	Andraž Šporar (from Olimpija Ljubljana)[10]
15		MF	Alexander Fransson (from IFK Norrköping)[11]
24		MF	Renato Steffen (from Young Boys)[12]

Out

15		DF	Ivan Ivanov (contract beended mutual agreement)[13]
38		FW	Albian Ajeti (to Augsburg)[14]
14		FW	Yoichiro Kakitani (to Cerezo Osaka)[15]
33		MF	Mohamed Elneny (to Arsenal)[16]

Results and Fixtures

Kickoff times are in CET

Legend

      Win       Draw       Loss       Postponed

Friendly matches

Preseason

Winter break

Swiss Super League

First half of season

Second half of season

League table

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Qualification or relegation
1	Basel	20	16	1	3	50	20	+30	49	Qualification to Champions League group stage
2	Grasshopper	20	10	4	6	47	37	+10	34	Qualification to Champions League third qualifying round
3	Young Boys	20	7	9	4	32	24	+8	30	Qualification to Europa League third qualifying round
4	Luzern	20	7	5	8	25	29	−4	26	Qualification to Europa League second qualifying round
5	Thun	20	8	2	10	28	33	−5	26

Swiss Cup

UEFA Champions League

Third qualifying round

The draw for the third qualifying round was held on 17 July 2015. The first leg is to be played on 29 July, and the second leg will be played on 5 August 2015.

Basel won 4–1 on aggregate.

Play-off round

The draw was held on 7 August 2015.^[18][19]

Maccabi Tel Aviv won on away goals rule.

UEFA Europa League

Group stage

The draw was held on 28 August 2015, at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco and Basel were drawn into Group I.

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Qualification		BAS	FIO	LPO	BEL
1	Basel	6	4	1	1	10	5	+5	13	Advance to knockout phase		—	2–2	2–0	1–2
2	Fiorentina	6	3	1	2	11	6	+5	10			1–2	—	1–2	1–0
3	Lech Poznań	6	1	2	3	2	6	−4	5			0–1	0–2	—	0–0
4	Belenenses	6	1	2	3	2	8	−6	5			0–2	0–4	0–0	—

Knockout phase

Round of 32

The draw for the round of 32 will be held on 14 December 2015. The first legs will be played on 18 February, and the second legs will be played on 25 February 2016.

Sources and References

FC Basel History Players Stadiums Landhof St. Jakob Stadium St. Jakob Park Seasons 1932–33 1941–42 1946–47 1952–53 1962–63 1966–67... 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 2005–06 2006–07 2007–08 2008–09 2009–10 2010–11 2011–12 2012–13 2013–14 2014–15 2015–16 Other Superleague Formula team

2015–16 in Swiss football « 2014–15 2016–17 » Domestic leagues Super League Challenge League Promotion League 1. Liga 2. Liga Interregional 2. Liga Domestic cups Swiss Cup International club competitions Men Champions League Europa League Women Women's Champions League Related to national teams Men UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying (Group E) 2015 UEFA Under-21 Championship qualification (Group 5) Women 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup (Qualification) Club seasons Super League Basel Grasshopper Club Lugano Luzern St. Gallen Sion Thun Vaduz Young Boys Zürich Challenge League Aarau Biel-Bienne Chiasso Lausanne Le Mont Schaffhausen Wil Winterthur Wohlen Xamax