Fiorentina 1-2 FC Basel: FC Basel is about to reach the first European final in club history. In injury time, Heiko Vogel’s club came out on top against Fiorentina: 1-2.
Great euphoria in Switzerland after stunt in Florence
The celebrations at FC Basel are great after the handsome 1-2 away win over Fiorentina in the semi-finals of the Conference League. The Swiss are very proud, now that they are standing with one leg in their first ever European final.
Arthur Cabral, of all people, opened the score against his old club in Florence on Thursday evening, but Basel made a great comeback in the second half. After an impressive solo from Andy Diouf in the 71st minute, the Swiss also scored the winning goal in extra time.
“Football sometimes writes fantastic stories,” coach Heiko Vogel responded afterwards in conversation with the UEFA channel, referring to Mohamed Zeki Amdouni’s winning goal from Taulant Xhaka’s free kick.
That winning goal in the 92nd minute was preceded by a crucial get-together, Vogel said. “Taulant asked me before that free kick if they should go to the corner flag to secure the tie. But I said: No, we’re going for the 1-2. And then it happened, which is simply fantastic.”
Heiko Vogel is satisfied but cautious
Vogel is very satisfied, but also does not want to celebrate too soon. “It was a deserved win because the guys played great from a tactical point of view. I must compliment them. They did a really, really good job. But we’re only halfway there. We must remain humble and focused,” he continued.
Defender Riccardo Calafiori also beamed afterwards. “I am very happy. Basel gave me the chance after a bad injury and I’m happy to pay them back. We know very well that there is still a lot of work to do, but reaching the final would mean the world to me. That would be fantastic,” he said.
Goalkeeper Marwin Hitz could hardly believe it either. “This is the total opposite of our situation in the league,” he referred to the Super League, where Basel is fifth due to the home defeat against FC Zurich. “It will be tough on the return, but we will give everything to experience another evening like this.”
