FC St. Gallen and FC Basel faced off in a thrilling Super League encounter on Thursday, February 21, 2025, at the Kybunpark, resulting in a riveting 2-2 draw. This match was notable not only for its tense atmosphere and significant attendance of over 19,000 fans but also for the dramatic turns it took late on.
From the kickoff, FC Basel looked to assert their dominance. The team, coached by Fabio Celestini, opened the scoring early when Léo Leroy found the back of the net just 10 minutes in. This goal set the tone for Basel, who, based on their recent record against St. Gallen, arrived with high hopes, having won three of their last four encounters. Their confidence was also bolstered by the knowledge they hadn't lost to St. Gallen since more than 18 months, but their away form had been less convincing, with no victories at Kybunpark for nearly three and a half years.
Basel doubled their advantage in the 71st minute via Noah Yannick, whose ill-fated attempt to clear a corner from Xherdan Shaqiri ended up as an own goal. At this point, it seemed like Basel was en route to securing three points comfortably, controlling much of the possession and limiting St. Gallen’s chances.
While Basel appeared to be on the path to victory, St. Gallen had other plans. The home side, led by the spirited play of their forwards, began to press more aggressively. It was evident they were not content to simply let the game slip away. Their determination paid off when Christian Witzig took advantage of Basel’s goalkeeping error to score from a corner kick, bringing the score to 2-1 with just 12 minutes left.
With the momentum shifted, St. Gallen pushed forward, and the electric atmosphere inside Kybunpark surged. Fans rallied behind their team, urging them to continue their fight. The excitement peaked as the match approached its conclusion, culminating in the equalizer from Willem Geubbels, who headed the ball home from another corner just five minutes before the final whistle. This late strike not only salvaged a point for St. Gallen but also kept their unbeaten home record intact.
Citing the unpredictability of the St. Gallen side, Celestini remarked, "Der FC St.Gallen ist unberechenbar, er kann hoch verteidigen, aber auch auf Konter spielen... Wenn man den Kampf in St.Gallen nicht annimmt, bekommt man Probleme." His insights encapsulated the challenge of playing away against such determined opposition. His belief was evident as he noted how details can turn the tide--an allusion to the two disallowed goals against Lausanne prior to this match which had frustrated the Basel coaching staff.
The draw left Basel with feelings of dissatisfaction, having only earned two points from their last two Super League matches. Their upcoming match against Etoile Carouge provides them another opportunity to improve their standing as they seek to build consistency moving forward. Celestini acknowledged this disappointment, expressing hope for improvement when the team hits the pitch next.
On the other hand, St. Gallen’s late show of spirit was celebrated. The team, often perceived as underdogs, proved their resilience, showcasing the fight they exhibited to secure the hard-fought point. Reflecting on the match, the sentiments were of pride and accomplishment, particularly on the part of the fans who filled Kybunpark with fervent support.
This match served as both a thrilling display of the competitive nature of Swiss football and reaffirmed the unpredictable charm of the Super League. The meeting between FC St. Gallen and FC Basel not only lived up to expectations but delivered on the excitement and drama closely associated with local derbies.