In a crucial match at the Schützenwiese, FC Basel secured a vital 2-0 victory over FC Winterthur on March 30, 2025. The win brings Basel within two points of league leaders Servette, intensifying the race for the Swiss Super League title. After a lackluster first half, the visitors found their rhythm in the second half, thanks to standout performances from Xherdan Shaqiri and Bénie Traoré.
The match started slowly, with both teams struggling to create clear chances. Basel dominated possession, holding 71% of the ball in the first half, but they found it difficult to break through Winterthur's organized defense. The home team, under coach Uli Forte, aimed to counter Basel’s attacking prowess, having previously suffered heavy defeats in their earlier encounters this season.
It wasn’t until the 49th minute that Basel finally found the back of the net. Shaqiri, who had been relatively quiet in the first half, capitalized on a defensive lapse from Winterthur. After a failed clearance from Luca Zuffi, Kevin Rüegg delivered a precise ball into the box, allowing Shaqiri to strike from about 15 meters out. His shot was powerful and placed perfectly into the bottom right corner, giving Basel a crucial 1-0 lead.
Following the goal, Winterthur attempted to respond immediately. In the 51st minute, they recorded their first shot on target when Ulrich tested Basel’s goalkeeper, Jonas Hitz, but the keeper was up to the task, making a solid save. However, the momentum had shifted, and Basel began to exploit the spaces left by Winterthur as they pushed forward in search of an equalizer.
In the 70th minute, Basel doubled their lead through Traoré, who scored his eighth goal of the season. Shaqiri played a pivotal role again, receiving the ball in the build-up and executing a clever nutmeg on Diaby before perfectly setting up Traoré. The Ivorian striker finished with precision, slipping the ball through the legs of Winterthur's goalkeeper, Stefanos Kapino, sealing the 2-0 victory.
Despite the scoreline, the match was not without its moments of tension. In the 90+2 minute, Shaqiri and Winterthur’s Diaby clashed after a foul was not called, resulting in both players receiving yellow cards. Additionally, Basel’s Ajeti had a golden opportunity to add a third goal in the dying moments of the match but missed a clear chance, shooting wide after a well-placed pass from Shaqiri.
After the match, Shaqiri reflected on the importance of the victory, stating, "This was a crucial win for us. We knew Winterthur would be tough at home, but we managed to control the game and take our chances. I’m happy to contribute with a goal and an assist, but it’s all about the team and our title ambitions."
Winterthur's coach, Uli Forte, acknowledged the challenge posed by Shaqiri, saying, "In the first half, we managed to keep him in check, but in the second half, he showed his class. We were far from our best today, and against a team like Basel, you need to be at your peak to compete."
With this victory, FC Basel continues to chase Servette, who currently sit at the top of the league table with 51 points. Basel now has 49 points, and the pressure is mounting as the season approaches its final stretch. The team will look to maintain their momentum in their next match against GC on Thursday, April 3, 2025, at St. Jakob-Park.
As for Winterthur, the loss adds to their struggles this season, leaving them with only 20 points and deepening their relegation concerns. They will need to regroup quickly, as they face FC Sion on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, in what is now a critical match for their survival in the league.
With ten rounds remaining in the championship race, every point counts, and both teams will be looking to capitalize on their upcoming fixtures. Basel is determined to keep the pressure on Servette, while Winterthur must find a way to turn their fortunes around before it’s too late.
