The FC Basel delivered a stunning performance on May 4, 2025, as they defeated Servette 5:1 in a pivotal Super League match at St. Jakob-Park. This victory not only showcased Basel's dominance but also brought them within striking distance of their first league title since the 2016/2017 season.
From the outset, the atmosphere in the stadium was electric, with 32,580 fans cheering on their team. The excitement reached its peak when Xherdan Shaqiri opened the scoring in the 28th minute, capitalizing on a critical mistake by former Basel player Kasim Adams. Shaqiri's goal set the tone for what would become a remarkable display of attacking football.
Just six minutes later, Albian Ajeti, who had not scored since November, found the net twice in quick succession, netting goals in the 34th and 38th minutes. His first came from an exquisite pass by Shaqiri, while the second was a deft lob over Servette goalkeeper Joël Mall after another brilliant setup, this time from Philip Otele. Ajeti's brace not only ended his goal drought but also highlighted his importance to the team.
As the match progressed, Servette struggled to find their footing, and the situation worsened when Alexis Antunes received a second yellow card just minutes into the second half, reducing Servette to ten men. Despite being a player down, Servette managed to pull one back in the 55th minute through Kasim Adams, who scored a header from a corner, giving the visitors a glimmer of hope.
However, Basel quickly regained control of the match. Bénie Traoré restored the three-goal cushion with a strike in the 76th minute, following yet another assist from Shaqiri, who had a hand in four of Basel's five goals. Nicolas Vouilloz capped off the scoring in the 79th minute, heading in from Shaqiri's corner, marking his first goal for Basel against his former club.
Following the final whistle, the jubilant fans sang, "FC Basel, Schweizer Meister!" as the players celebrated their commanding victory. With this win, Basel now holds a nine-point lead over Servette with only four games remaining. If they secure a victory against FC Lugano next week, they will clinch the championship title.
The match was a testament to Basel's strength and depth, with Shaqiri's performance drawing particular praise. He now boasts 17 goals and 21 assists in the current season, equaling the record for most assists in a single season previously held by Miroslav Stevanovic of Servette.
Coach Fabio Celestini expressed his pride in the team's performance, stating, "We are not always sure. The table is what it is. But we played a fantastic first half. This team is incredible. The mentality is superb, and what we showed on the pitch was strong. I enjoy watching my team play. Xherdan has incredible quality. He knows he has ten teammates, and the atmosphere in the team is fantastic. Xherdan is the leader, but others also score goals. Congratulations to everyone."
Albian Ajeti, reflecting on his return to scoring form, said, "The only thing I can do is help the team. We take it game by game. We are sure there are more celebrations to come. If we perform like we did today and in the last few weeks, it should work out for us."
On the other side, Servette's coach Thomas Häberli acknowledged the challenges faced by his team, particularly after the red card. He stated, "These are the losses I can accept. The team did everything they could. There are days when the ball just doesn't want to go in. This gives us confidence for the last four tasks ahead. We look forward to the home game against Lausanne. It's a shame we have two suspended players. We need to build on our performances."
With the title race heating up, the FC Basel players and fans are eager to see if they can secure the championship next week. The anticipation is palpable as they prepare to face FC Lugano, while Servette looks to regroup against the Young Boys. The excitement of the Super League continues to build, and all eyes will be on Basel as they aim to reclaim their spot at the top of Swiss football.
