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Benjamin Huggel, do the FCB pros need to see a psychiatrist between the semi-final defeat to Fiorentina and their return to everyday competitive life?
Benjamin Hugh:(laughs) I wouldn’t go that far. But of course: a big dream has jumped for everyone. The chance to progress to a European Cup final was probably unique for most. Now they must quickly realize that the day-to-day business is still the most important thing. There they need points to experience international evenings like this season again next year.
A victory on Sunday in the home game against Lugano is almost without alternative to end the season on a European Cup starting place.
I agree, looking at the table, three points are required. But that will be a very difficult exercise: Lugano is in shape, Basel is mentally and probably physically ill.
Crucial question: How do you manage to turn the switch?
As always after a European Cup evening, it is a matter of will. The legs will be heavy against Lugano in the beginning, but the fatigue you can walk away. A challenging reaction in the head is needed – according to the motto: Now more than ever!
As a coach, can Heiko Vogel help to get the players up? Or does everyone figure it out for themselves?
This is primarily the task of the players. Processing disappointments quickly and getting back to work immediately, that is part of the profession of a professional football player. Heiko can help with that, he knows exactly which words are needed now.
One thing is certain for the layman: whoever beats Fiorentina, Nice and the Turkish champions, should easily score nine points against Lugano, Servette and GC in the last three rounds.
If only it were that easy. I don’t believe in comparisons between teams and leagues. In the successful FCB years, the question arose: can the team compete in Serie A? You might ask yourself such questions at the regular table, but not if you are in the football world. Whether it’s the Super League or the Conference League, winning a game at this level is always a tough call. At FCB, for example, you have to ask yourself why you have conceded so many goals from set pieces lately – and how you can prevent that against Lugano.
Is an explanation for the insufficient appearances in the league that the Conference League was more important for the FCB talents?
For the players who dream of going abroad, the European Cup feels more like a springboard. But the scouts are also in the stands in the Super League. And they take a good look at how a player behaves in everyday competitive life.
Between the Fiorentina matches, FCB lost 1:6 in St. Gallen. Because coaches and players had no place in their minds for the league. Negligent or understandable?
Rather negligent. Because despite the victory in the first leg in Florence you had to take the elimination into account. And now the only way to the European Cup is through the league.
Are you using the double burden as an excuse to falter in Super League?
Of course, three matches a week are exhausting for the body and mind. At the same time, it is a luxury that FC Basel would like to have. Then complaining about the effort is too easy for me.
Suppose the team stays together, would FCB be a serious contender for the championship next season?
That also depends a lot on which team will have YB available. The return to the championship race is not a utopia. But this requires a special effort. I would consider modesty appropriate, ie take the next step first. And that would be to have a chance to win the championship title until the last match day.
There is a greater chance that players like Amdouni, Diouf and Pelmard will move on. What development do you think the trio is still capable of?
Amdouni has proven his huge potential internationally, including in the national team. He needs to be more consistent now – in the home games against YB, for example, Zesiger completely signed him off. In the future, he should stand out in such games. Diouf has incredible dynamism in midfield, I think he is capable of moving up. He still has weaknesses in overview and in strategic behavior, which is not surprising given his age. And Pelmard unfortunately always has impure defensive actions that lead to goals against. If he puts that out, he can also make it international, technically he is excellent.
Heiko Vogel will stop as a trainer at the end of the season, although the FCB players wanted the opposite. How dangerous is that for new coach Timo Schultz?
If he manages to get the players behind him, I don’t see a problem there. What’s the best way to do this? About the results. If they are not correct, you can start a trainer conversation again. I doubt that will do anything. Slowly but surely you would go in circles.
A St. Pauli legend at FC Basel – does that fit?
Why not? Schultz developed an attractive profile as a trainer in Hamburg and was successful. Now he can show that he can do it in a strange environment.
Finally, back to the topic at the beginning: will FC Basel continue to win Sunday against Lugano?
I really hope so, but it will be relentlessly difficult.
Source : Blick
I’m Emma Jack, a news website author at 24 News Reporters. I have been in the industry for over five years and it has been an incredible journey so far. I specialize in sports reporting and am highly knowledgeable about the latest trends and developments in this field.
