After defeat against Lausanne: FCB in relegation battle – but Celestini still dreams of Europe

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The mood of the Basel players corresponds to FCB’s current table situation. After the 1:2 defeat against Lausanne-Sport, both are back in the cellar. After the second disappointing home performance in four days, no one wants to talk about the players anymore – except Dominik Schmid (25) in front of the SRF microphone. “I need an explanation,” says the left back.

The other media professionals have to settle for coach Fabio Celestini (48). But he has no explanation why his team, just like in the cup-out against Lugano (3:4 nP), again lacked passion and fight for a long time.

Three defeats from four games

“We know that these two games could have changed our season,” said the FCB coach. But instead of a cup semi-final and just three points behind sixth place, Basel’s reality is suddenly another relegation battle. Celestini does not want to blame his players too much. “Precisely because we lost two games, we should not forget what we achieved in the previous games,” says the Basel coach.

FCB scored 23 points in the first twelve games under Celestini and fought their way from the bottom to the bottom of the table. But now the trainer effect seems to have died out again. In all competitions there have been three defeats in the last four games, and in the league the lead over the Barrage place has shrunk to two points.

Six points behind the top 6

“It is our responsibility to save this season,” Celestini said. Staying in the competition is the top priority for the player from Lausanne, but the FCB coach still does not want to give up the battle for sixth place and a European starting spot.

Basel is six points behind Lugano (5th) and Lucerne (6th). Both will face each other in a direct duel on Sunday. Celestini: «As long as it is still mathematically possible, I will talk about it. That is our ambition as FC Basel.”

Celestini didn’t talk about the Champions Group for a long time. Also because when he took office in the autumn, he did not consider it impossible that the bottom team at the time could still reach the top six. “The situation was dramatic,” Celestini reflects. If the FCB does not find a way out of the negative spiral as quickly as possible, it will soon be back.

Source : Blick