Basel had lost their opening two matches in Group E in the Champions League but their 3-1 demolition of Roma at the Stadio Olimpico on Matchday 3 resuscitated their hopes of qualifying for the knockout stages. At the moment the Swiss side are second in the group with three points from as many games.
The problem is that Roma as well as Cluj have the same number of points and it is going to be a three-way fight for the runners-up spot from now on. The Swiss champions have to win their remaining matches at home or face the prospect of elimination from Europe’s premier club competition.
Basel head into Wednesday’s fixture on the back of a 3-1 win against Bellinzona on Saturday that propelled them to the top of the league. The Bebbi are currently on a three-match winning run in all competitions and interestingly have won all those games 3-1.
However, coach Thorsten Fink remains humble and is not getting carried away. He said on Monday, “It'll be tough and we're the outsiders despite our victory in the last match. They are the favourites and definitely want to win here.
“We have beaten Roma twice already [including last season in the UEFA Europa League] and that is good for my team because we know we can defeat them. We know a win will improve our position in the group but sometimes it's harder to get a result at home than it is away.”
Winning Is The Only Thing
Roma suffered the ignominy of suffering a defeat at the Stadio Olimpico two weeks ago when they were crushed 3-1 by Basel in Rome, reviving haunting thoughts of crisis. Claudio Ranieri’s men are now in serious danger of suffering elimination from the Champions League, meaning that a win in Switzerland on Wednesday evening is imperative.
However, the Lupi warmed up for this hugely crucial clash with a 2-0 win against Lecce in Serie A at the weekend that has stationed hem in mid-table. However, captain Francesco Totti was sent off in that fixture and with the Rome derby against Lazio looming large, Roma are facing a very tricky week.
The Italians have never won on Swiss soil and Ranieri knows the monster he is facing and said, “We have to improve and concentrate. In the last game Basel had three chances and scored three goals – that's something we need to avoid.
“Our Champions League future is on line so it's extremely important. We are getting better as a team and morale is excellent. We want to build on that. Winning is always the best medicine. “
TEAM NEWS
Basel
Genseric Kusunga suffered a muscle problem against Bellinzona at the weekend while Jacques Zoua has not played since early September because of a thigh muscle tear.
Roma
Philippe Mexes is out because of an asthma attack and so is Matteo Brighi because of a muscle injury. David Pizarro, Rodrigo Taddei and Adriano are unavailable as well while Francesco Totti appears to be struggling with a shoulder problem.
Prediction
Roma won at the weekend but their ‘crisis’ is still not over as the Lupi do not look very comfortable yet. Winning away in Europe is always a tough task and Claudio Ranieri’s side may just flounder on Wednesday evening. Basel should emerge victorious in this fixture.
Basel 2-0 Roma 
