FCB icon Ceccaroni is not surprised: Basel is worse than it has been in three decades

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Six games, four points, 11th place in the rankings. FC Basel started the season worse than since 1994. The internet is still in its infancy, Brazil becomes world champion because Roberto Baggio puts the ball over the bar in the final. Michael Schumacher becomes world champion for the first time, George Foreman becomes the oldest world heavyweight champion at the age of 45. Of the current FCB squad, only Marwin Hitz (36), Mirko Salvi (29), Michael Lang (32), Taulant Xhaka (32) and Fabian Frei (34) were on this planet.

The sports world was different. And FCB cannot be compared with the club of today. Massimo Ceccaroni (55), one of the greatest FCB players in history, the man who played a total of 452 league games between 1987 and 2002 and experienced everything from relegation to the championship title, remembers. Then, when the season also started horribly. “We had just been promoted that summer. Our objectives were very modest. The most important thing was not to be relegated again,” says Ceccaroni. There were four defeats and two draws in the first six matches, the current FCB team achieved one win and one draw in the first six matches.

Ceccaroni was not surprised

But the miserable start to the season was not unexpected, says Ceccaroni. “The preparation was not optimal, the important transfers came about relatively late,” said the old defender. “The players we have now brought in are interesting, but it will take a certain time before everything is on solid ground. They are players from different countries, who speak different languages, who do not yet identify with FCB.”

But according to Ceccaroni, FCB does not have time. “The president made it clear that the team is now in place and the field must be cleared from behind.” It remains to be seen whether Timo Schultz is the right coach for this. Also whether the new players are really reinforcements.

In any case, FCB will be under a lot of pressure against Lucerne on Thursday and against Lausanne-Ouchy on Sunday. “If you are behind on the table, you feel it on the field. You lack self-image and confidence,” said Ceccaroni.

What is needed is liberation, says the FCB legend. Just like 29 years ago, when FCB lost their frustration at home against Lucerne on matchday 9. Philippe Hertig, Marco Walker and Asif Saric scored for a 4-0 victory and, despite a poor start to the season, FCB was ultimately enough to reach the final round.

Will history repeat itself?

Source : Blick