Red-Blue threatens a horror scenario

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The statement by Heiko Vogel (47) is of course logical. After the sobering 0: 2 against Luzern on Sunday, FCB’s interim coach reacted angrily to critical questions – and referred to the fatigue three days after the Conference League coup in Nice. On the other hand: The team is composed for the season for the double burden national/international. And certainly not with the aim of saying goodbye to the European Cup halfway through the season.

Against this background, the words of Marwin Hitz (35) are closer to the truth than those of his coach. After the home failure against Central Switzerland, the goalkeeper is hard on his teammates: “Of course you could blame fatigue again. But that was not the reason for me. We weren’t good anywhere. At some point you forget that you had a game on Thursday. We can’t handle the double burden, it’s a huge problem. The competition is everyday life, what matters. But so you have to say: it’s a bad season. We always follow.”

Worst placement since the start

Top international, flop in the league. What face will FC Basel show in Sion on Thursday evening? Without a three in the tourbillon, the red-blue horror scenario approaches: the worst final placement since the creation of the Super League (third place so far) – and international affairs go wrong. Without UEFA bonuses in the following season, the club’s already critical financial situation would be even more strained.

Suppose FCB also throws Fiorentina out of the Conference League, but then loses the final. And flies out of the European Cup ranks on the 36th matchday through a goal against in stoppage time. Exaggerated, but possible. And for red-blue like the jump from heaven to hell: for the first time in a European Cup final, but not internationally next season.

In the Super League this season, places one to five almost certainly entitle them to the European Cup. If Basel misses the top half of the table, the Conference League title is needed: this would then put Red and Blue straight into the group stage of the higher Europa League.

“With only three games to go, that would be the shortest way to the European Cup,” says Heiko Vogel. The simpler one, Vogel also knows, is still the one via the league: FCB would finally have to win two league matches in a row for that. That was last achieved in the fall, then under Alex Frei. And with the previous point average in the league since the change of coach (1.4), FCB would have 46 points at the end of the season. That should not be enough for the target second place.

Focus on the competition? Or use the unique opportunity in the European Cup? FCB is in a dilemma before the end of the season. Horror scenario not ruled out.

Source : Blick