2003–04 FC Basel season

The Swiss Football Association (ASF-SFV) had changed the format of the domestic league. Since the 1987–88 Nationalliga A season there were 24 teams in the Nationalliga, 12 in the Nationalliga A and 12 in the Nationalliga B. In the first stage there was a qualifying phase played as double round-robin. In the second phase the top eight clubs played a further double round-robin for the championship, the last eight teams played against relegation to the amateur league and the last four teams from the top level played a promotion/relegation round for the top tier in the following season. Last season was last in that format. The new format was called Swiss Super League, or with the sponsor name Axpo Super League. As of this season, there were ten teams in the top tier and eighteen in the second tier. In the top tier, the teams played a double round-robin in the first half of the season and then another double round-robin in the second half. There were three points for a victory and one each for a draw. The champions and runners-up would enter the qualifying rounds of the [2004–05 Champions League, the third placed team would enter the UEFA Cup second qualifying round. The bottom placed team would be relegated the second last team would play a play-off against relegation.

Basel's priority aim for the season was to win the league championship. The season started impeccably, Basel won the first thirteen matches straight off and moved to the top of the league table from the first round. They completed the first half of the season undefeated, with seventeen wins and one draw.

Basel completed the seasons eighteen home ties undefeated, winning fourteen and drawing four. Their biggest home wins were two 6-0 wins against Servette and Neuchâtel Xamax. Four home games were reported as sold out, the highest attendance being 30,800 spectators on 23 November 2003 in their highest scoring match of the season, a 5–2 win against Grasshopper. Basel remained in top position in the table until the end of the season, thus achieving their championship aim. This was the club's tenth championship title in the club's history. They won the championship with 26 victories and seven draws, the team had suffered just three away defeats, and obtained 85 points. This meant that they were 13 points ahead of second placed Young Boys. Wil were bottom-placed and relegated and Neuchâtel Xamax played the play-out.[4]

Basel scored 86 goals during their league season, conceding 32. Christian Giménez was the teams top league scorer with 16 goals, Marco Streller second best with 13 and both Benjamin Huggel and Julio Hernán Rossi netted eight times. Scott Chipperfield, Hervé Tum and Murat Yakin each scored seven times.[5]

As cup holders, Basel's clear aim for the Swiss Cup was to retain the title. In the first two rounds of the 2003–04 Swiss Cup Basel were drawn away and won their games against lower league teams, FC Alle and Urania Genève Sport as expected. In the third round they were drawn away in the Hardturm Stadion against Grasshopper Club Zürich but lost 1-0. Thus Basel were eliminated and missed their domestic cup aim. Grasshoppers advanced as far as the final, but here they were surprisingly defeated by Wil.[4]

As runners-up in the Swiss championship the previous season and as Swiss Cup winners Basel were qualified for the UEFA Cup first round. The club's aim was remain in the UEFA Cup as long as possible. But after being the surprise package in Europe in the 2002–03 season, Basel could not bring this form into the UEFA Cup in 2003–04.

Malatyaspor (24 September 2003)

In the first round Basel were drawn against Malatyaspor and played the first leg away in the Malatya İnönü Stadium in Malatya in front of a sold out 10,000 capacity attendance. Basel had to play without their best scorer Christian Giménez, defender Timothée Atouba, and the midfield players Esposito and Ivan Ergic who were out injured. Basel started well into the game and their captain Murat Yakin put them a goal up after 15 minutes. The home team increased the pressure after the break and the visitors defence had to play at their best. Despite seeing the yellow card in the 51st minute, the visitors captain and centre back was the best Basel player on the day. Basel goalkeeper Pascal Zuberbühler also saw the yellow card in after 71 minutes for time-wasting, but he was able to keep a clean score sheet until the end of the game. The captains younger brother Hakan, who had been substituted in just seven minutes earlier, finished off Basel's good move in the 75th minute to give the visitors a two goal lead. And the 2–0 lead was held up until the end of the game.[6]

Return match (15 October 2003)

Basel started very quickly into the second leg match held at St. Jakob-Park with two good early chances. Hervé Tum's header after just 45 seconds was a little too wide and Timothée Atouba tried a long range shot only a minute later but this was somewhat too high. But then the home team then defended their aggregate lead by simply keeping their Turkish opponents at bay by giving them a lot of space in the midfield area. Basel's goalkeeper Pascal Zuberbühler only had to get involved once during the first half, this after 35 minutes as Muhammet Akagündüz appeared threateningly before him, but Atouba got back quickly to clear the danger. After the break the game changed. The visitors pushed forward with more pressure, Fazli Ulusoy had their first chance, but his shot hit the outside of the post. Then Celaleddin Koçak reacted quickest on a loose ball and to beat Zuberbühler after 64 minutes. Muhammet Akagündüz also saw his shot bounce back of the post after 71 minutes. Malatyaspor kept up their pressure and six minutes from time, Kocak managed to net his second goal as he reacted quicker than the Basel defence to beat Zuberbühler with a well-placed header. The game ended with an aggregate 2–2 draw and thus went into over time. The momentum of the second half seemed to be with the visitors, however, Basel were able to regroup themselves and Marco Streller's silver goal saw them through to the second round.[7]

Newcastle United (6 November 2003)

In the second round Basel were drawn against Newcastle United. The first leg was held at St. Jakob-Park with a sell-out 30,000 capacity. Basel started quickly with much momentum at the beginning of the first half. They had already come close on a couple of occasions before Mario Cantaluppi slammed home a powerful drive from outside the penalty area in the 11th minute. The visitors reacted very quickly, Laurent Robert was sent clear of the defence two minutes later. The French winger finished with composure and he sent his low shot into the far corner of the goal. Another two minutes later Basel were awarded a corner kick. Defender Andy O'Brien headed the ball clear but the danger was not over. Scott Chipperfield was able to collect the free ball and his shot was slightly deflected as it beat Newcastle keeper Shay Given. Newcastle always seemed to be in danger as Basel pushed forward. Especially Christian Giménez was always dangerous and the tall Marco Streller was always a danger as high balls were sent into the centre. The English side deserve credit for standing out that spell without any further damage. Then the found their second equaliser. In the 37th minute Gary Speed first tried to send his header home after a Laurent Robert corner, but the ball was blocked, Titus Bramble reacted quickly on the loose ball and forced it over the line. Before the break Christian Giménez headed the ball against a post and in the second-half, substitute Julio Hernán Rossi forced Nolberto Solano to clear off the line when a corner came unexpectedly to him and diverted the ball with his face. Towards the end of the match Newcastle were the more dominant side and it was a pass from Solano that set up the winning goal. Shola Ameobi skilfully shook off Marco Zwyssig before driving the ball between the legs of keeper Pascal Zuberbühler. Basel's head coach Christian Gross blamed defensive errors for the 2–3 home defeat.[8]

Return match (27 November 2003)

The second leg was played at St James' Park in front of 40,325 spectators and was arbitrated by Danish referee Knud Erik Fisker. He was the first-person taking action that evening by showing Newcastle’s captain Alan Shearer a yellow card after just 15 seconds. In that action Basel defender Marco Zwyssig was injured and he left the game in the fourth minute, being substituted by Boris Smiljanić. Smiljanić himself was involved in the next action. A Laurent Robert corner was completely misjudged by Basel goalkeeper Pascal Zuberbühler and the ball bounced off the unlucky substitute’s shin. Chipperfield cleared the ball, but it had already crossed the line and referee Fisker signalled the goal without hesitation. The rest of the game remained unspectacular, Newcatle controlled the game, but Basel remained dangerous on the counter. However, no further goals followed

Basel were eliminated by Newcastle United in the second round 2–4 on aggregate.[9]

Conclusion

The club had hoped that they could have continued a round or perhaps two further, but despite being knocked out at this stage, they considered that that had achieved their European aim for this season.

Chairman	Mr Werner Edelmann
Ground (capacity and dimensions)	St. Jakob-Park (33,433 / 120x80 m)

Source: Homepage FCB

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player 1 GK   SUI Pascal Zuberbühler 4 DF   SUI Alexandre Quennoz 5 DF   SUI Marco Zwyssig 6 MF   SUI Benjamin Huggel 7 FW   SUI Esposito 8 MF  AUS Mile Sterjovski 9 FW   SUI Marco Streller 11 FW  CMR Hervé Tum 12 MF   SUI Sébastien Barberis 13 FW  ARG Christian Eduardo Giménez 14 MF  ALG Djamel Mesbah 15 DF   SUI Murat Yakin 16 DF   SUI Grégory Duruz 17 MF   SUI Mario Cantaluppi

No. Pos. Nation Player 18 GK   SUI Eric Rapo 19 DF  BRA Kléber 20 MF  ARG Matías Emilio Delgado 21 MF   SUI David Degen 22 MF  SCG Ivan Ergić 23 DF   SUI Philipp Degen 24 DF  CMR Timothée Atouba 26 MF  AUS Scott Chipperfield 29 MF  BIH Damir Džombić 30 DF   SUI Boris Smiljanić 33 FW  ARG Julio Hernán Rossi 35 GK  AUT Thomas Mandl — MF   SUI Hakan Yakin — DF  BRA José Maria Claudino ("Zé Maria")

The Uhrencup is a club football tournament, held annually in Grenchen.

Basel v Casino Bregenz

2 July 2003 Semifinal	Basel	4 – 2	Casino Bregenz	Stadion Brühl, Grenchen
20:00	Aslan  9' (o.g. 1:0) Rossi  28' (2:1) Giménez  42' (3:1) Giménez  55' (4:1)	Summary	15' (1:1) Berchtold  58' (4:2) Aslan	Attendance: 4,118 Referee: Claudio Circhetta

Basel v BSC Young Boys

4 July 2003 Final	Basel	1 – 0	BSC Young Boys	Stadion Brühl, Grenchen
20:45	Streller  61' (0:1)			Attendance: 6,681 Referee: Marcus Nobs

The Swiss Super League season was contested by ten teams.

Basel v Zürich

16 July 2003 Round 1	Basel	2 – 1	Zürich	St. Jakob-Park, Basel
19:30	H. Yakin  33' (1:0) Esposito  42' Huggel  86' (2:1)	Summary	51' (1:1) Kaita  82' Buess  85' Gygax	Attendance: 30,561 Referee: Philippe Leuba
Note: 300th game for goalie Pascal Zuberbühler in the Nationalliga A.

Young Boys v Basel

22 July 2003 Round 2	Young Boys	2 – 3	Basel	Stadion Neufeld, Bern
19:30	Leandro  27' (1:1) Magnin  47' (2:1)	Summary	20' (0:1) Giménez  38' Quennoz  48' (2:2) Streller  75' (2:3) Esposito	Attendance: 11,850 (sold out) Referee: Massimo Busacca

Basel v Neuchâtel Xamax

26 July 2003 Round 3	Basel	4 – 2	Neuchâtel Xamax	St. Jakob-Park, Basel
19:30	Esposito  7' P. Degen  11' (1:0) Giménez  19' (2:0) Giménez  46' (3:0) M. Yakin  93' (pen. 3:3)	Summary	28' Daffe  33' Bättig  40' Zambaz  60' (3:1) Mangane  40' Portillo  85' (3:2) Margairaz	Attendance: 29,055 Referee: Roland Beck

Wil v Basel

2 August 2003 Round 4	Wil	2 – 3	Basel	Stadion Bergholz, Wil
19:30	Lustrinelli  17' (1:0) Renggli  39' Romano  90' (2:3)	Summary	34' Cantaluppi  61' (1:1) M. Yakin  67' P. Degen  76' (1:2) Atouba  78' Barberis  80' (1:3) Streller	Attendance: 5,600 Referee: Martin Salm

Basel v Aarau

9 August 2003 Round 5	Basel	3 – 1	Aarau	St. Jakob-Park, Basel
19:30	Atouba  17' M. Yakin  21' (2:0) Rossi  69' (3:1) Huggel  79'	Summary	20' Seoane  28' Varela  59' (2:1) de Napoli  78' Wittl  79' Christ	Attendance: 24,430 Referee: Guido Wildhaber

Thun v Basel

16 August 2003 Round 6	Thun	0 – 4	Basel	Stadion Lachen, Thun
19:30	Cerrone  57'	Summary	13' (0:1) Giménez  26' (0:4) Giménez  63' (0:3) Streller  84' (0:4) Giménez	Attendance: 8,150 Referee: Urs Meier

Basel v Servette

24 August 2003 Round 7	Basel	6 – 0	Servette	St. Jakob-Park, Basel
16:15	Streller  22' (1:0) Huggel  24' Giménez  29' (2:0) Chipperfield  31' (3:0) Giménez  53' (4:0)M. Yakin  71' (pen. 5:0) Tum  84' (6:0)	Summary	33' Aziawonou  71' Roth  79' Zambrella	Attendance: 29,821 Referee: Carlo Bertolini

Grasshoppers v Basel

31 August 2003 Round 8	Grasshoppers	0 – 4	Basel	Hardturm, Zürich
16:15	Spycher  59'	Summary	39' (0:1) M. Yakin  52' (0:2) Streller  58' (0:3) Huggel  82' (0:4) Streller	Attendance: 17,666 Referee: Marcus Nobs

Basel v St. Gallen

3 September 2003 Round 9	Basel	4 – 1	St. Gallen	St. Jakob-Park, Basel
19:30	Cantaluppi  35' P. Degen  51' Huggel  56' (1:0) M. Yakin  67' (2:0) Tum  70' (3:0) Streller  72' (4:0)	Summary	36' Balmer  58' Alex  63' Zellweger	Attendance: 29,846 Referee: Guido Wildhaber

Zürich v Basel

14 September 2003 Round 10	Zürich	0 – 1	Basel	Letzigrund, Zürich
16:15	Petrosyan  77' Gygax  80'	Summary	4' (0:1) Rossi  32'  80' Chipperfield  43' Smiljanić	Attendance: 18,200 Referee: Roland Beck

Basel v Young Boys

28 September 2003 Round 11	Basel	2 – 0	Young Boys	St. Jakob-Park, Basel
16:15	Streller  16' (1:0) Streller  18' (2:0) Rossi  42' Cantaluppi  75' P. Degen  86' D. Degen  87'	Summary	30' Sermeter  40' Giallanza  81' Chapuisat	Attendance: 30,760 (sold out) Referee: René Rogalla

Neuchâtel Xamax v Basel

2 October 2003 Round 12	Neuchâtel Xamax	1 – 3	Basel	Stade de la Maladière, Neuchâtel
19:30	Portillo  57' Forschelet  67' Ojong  76' (1:3)	Summary	35' (0:1) Barberis  41' (0:2) H. Yakin  45' H. Yakin  68' Streller  68' (0:3) Delgado  88' Atouba	Attendance: 12,100 Referee: Guido Wildhaber

Basel v Wil

5 October 2003 Round 13	Basel	4 – 0	Wil	St. Jakob-Park, Basel
16:15	Streller  4' (1:0) Huggel  36' (2:0) Streller  53' (3:0) P. Degen  55' (4:0) Zwyssig  70'	Summary	34' Nushi  62' Montandon  82' Ze Maria  83' Blunschi	Attendance: 29,850 Referee: Jérôme Laperrière

Aarau v Basel

27 October 2003 Round 14	Aarau	2 – 2	Basel	Stadion Brügglifeld, Aarau
16:15	de Napoli  6' (1:0) de Napoli  32' Varela  49' de Napoli  66' (2:2)	Summary	7' Barberis  27' (1:1) Chipperfield  44' P. Degen  54' (1:2) Tum  56' Cantaluppi	Attendance: 9,250 Referee: Philippe Leuba

Basel v Thun

29 October 2003 Round 15	Basel	2 – 0	Thun	St. Jakob-Park, Basel
19:30	D. Degen  38' (1:0) H. Yakin  63' (2:0) P. Degen  90'	Summary		Attendance: 29,029 Referee: Reto Rutz

Servette v Basel

2 November 2003 Round 16	Servette	1 – 2	Basel	Stade de la Praille, Lancy
16:15	Kader  56' (1:1) Bah  79' Diogo  90+3'	Summary	31' (0:1) Huggel  75' M. Yakin  79' (1:2)Rossi	Attendance: 18,800 Referee: Urs Meier

Basel v Grasshoppers

23 November 2003 Round 17	Basel	5 – 2	Grasshoppers	St. Jakob-Park, Basel
16:15	Cantaluppi  14' (1:1) Streller  16' (2:1) Streller  42' (3:1) Chipperfield  49' (4:1) Huggel  55' (5:1)	Summary	11' (0:1) da Silva  86' Tararache  90' (5:2) Magro	Attendance: 30,800 (sold out) Referee: Roland Beck

St. Gallen v Basel

30 November 2003 Round 18	St. Gallen	1 – 2	Basel	Espenmoos, St. Gallen
16:15	Mirenda  45' (1:1)	Summary	14' (0:1) Tum  60' (1:2) Chipperfield  64' D. Degen  75' Rossi	Attendance: 11,300 (sold out) Referee: Urs Meier

Malatyaspor v Basel

24 September 2003 1st Leg	Malatyaspor	0–2	Basel	Malatya İnönü Stadium, Malatya
	Akagünduz  25'	(Report)	15'  51' M. Yakin  51' Zuberbühler  75' H. Yakin	Attendance: 10,000 (sold out) Referee: Marian Mircea Salomir (Rom)

Basel v Malatyaspor

15 October 2003 2nd Leg	Basel	1–2	Malatyaspor	St. Jakob-Park, Basel
	Huggel  16' Streller  95'	(Report)	25' Birlik  65', 85' Koçak  93' Bensol  102' Domies Junior De-Azevedo Elias	Attendance: 26,663 Referee: Attila Juhos (Hungary)

Aggregate: 3-2 / Basel win on silver goal

Basel v Newcastle United

6 November 2003 1st Leg	Basel	2–3	Newcastle United	St. Jakob-Park, Basel
20:30	Cantaluppi  11' Chipperfield  15' P. Degen  29'	(Report)	13' Robert  37' Bramble  75' Ameobi	Attendance: 30,000 (sold out) Referee: Tom Henning Øvrebø, (Norway)

Newcastle United v Basel

27 November 2003 2nd Leg	Newcastle United	1–0	Basel	St James' Park, Newcastle upon Tyne
20:30	Shearer  1' Smiljanić  14' (o.g.)	(Report)	27' Cantaluppi	Attendance: 45,000 Referee: Knud Erik Fisker (Denmark)

Aggregate: Newcastle win 4-2 on aggregate