FC Krasnodar 1-0 (0-0) FC Basel
Goal: Ari, 72 (penalty kick).
FC Krasnodar: Kritsyuk, Ramírez, Spajić, Martynovich, Petrov, Gazinsky (Kambolov, 83), Vilhena, Wanderson, Olsson (Utkin, 73), Suleymanov (Namli, 57), Ari.
FC Basel (Switzerland): Omlin, Riveros, Alderete, Bergström, Widmer, Frei, Cömert, Stocker (Bua, 85), Campo, Okafor (Pululu, 85), Ademi (Cabral, 68).
Yellow cards: Wanderson, 52, Gazinsky, 63, Ari, 73, Ramírez, 75, Martynovich, 90+3 – Frei, 90+3, Alderete, 90+5.
Red card: Ari, 90+5.
Referees: Madden, Roome, Stewart (all Scotland).
28 November 2019. Krasnodar. FC Krasnodar Stadium. Mainly clear. 6 degrees. 22 826 spectators.
In the second last match of the UEFA Europa League group stage FC Krasnodar could not gain or lose much. Whatever the result might be, the MD 6 game vs. Getafe CF remained the decisive one. And yet, a positive outcome in a clash with FC Basel would make the job easier for the black-greens in the upcoming game with the Spanish team.
The Bulls began the tonight’s game in a powerful way and barely missed scoring an opener after some preliminary shots fired by Wanderson and Vilhena. On the 31st minute Ari provided Wanderson with a well-timed pass that allowed the latter to arrive to a rendezvous with Omlin and shoot the ball over the Basel keeper. Fortunately for visitors, Alderete cleared the ball from the goal-line.
The Bulls received another solid scoring chance midway through the second half. Olsson found unmarked Namli in the centre of the box with a high serve, and the Krasnodar Dane attempted a shot on the volley and missed the ball.
The third scoring chance finally allowed the black-greens to get their way. On the 71st minute Ari took a pause and provoked an opponent to commit a foul against him inside the box. He was also the one to execute a penalty kick, with the ball shot into the low-left corner and Omlin diving the opposite way. The Krasnodar striker was eager to record a brace for himself at the death, but he failed to beat the Basel goalie at close quarters. A few seconds later Ari took part in a small turmoil involving players of both teams, got his second yellow card and was sent off pitch.
The black-greens got their own back from defeat in Switzerland, but they did not gain too much profit out of it, since Getafe had also achieved a minimal win in Trabzon. It means the Bulls will have to win the remaining game in Spain in order to qualify for the spring knock-outs. Any winning score will do.
