FC Basel lose opening Champions League match
Switzerland's top club team, FC Basel, have been defeated 2-1 by Ukraine's Shakhtar Donetsk in a Champions League match on Tuesday.
Shakhtar Donetsk took control of the match in the first half with two long-range goals from free-kicks by Brazilian midfielders Fernandinho and Jadson.
There was little the Basel defence could do about the first goal with Fernandinho, one of five Brazilians in Shakhtar’s starting line-up, scoring just before the half-hour mark with a ferocious free-kick from 30 metres.
Basel defender David Abraham grabbed a consolation goal for the home team in second-half stoppage time.
“They deserved it because they were faster and more determined,” Basel coach Christian Gross said of the Ukrainian side.
“We gave them too much space and time to build up their moves. We have to improve massively in all areas but I am convinced we will learn from this game.”
Basel’s next game is in Lisbon against Sporting on October 1.
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