Chelsea FC became the first team in the UEFA Champions League 2013-14 to qualify for the second round in spite of losing their away match against FC Basel, thanks to a goalless draw between Schalke and Steaua Bucharest. The hosts took the lead in the dying minutes of the match through Mohammed Salah to inflict a major upset.
The Swiss team controlled the proceedings right from the kick-off as they created a number of opportunities in front of the goal. But they couldn’t find the final touch that could have given them a deserved lead in the first half. Mohammed Salah himself was the culprit of missing two golden opportunities as Petr Cech had to make a number of good saves throughout the match.
In the second half Chelsea tried to claw back into the match and tried to force the issue. The inclusion of Fernando Torres, in place of Cameroon striker Samuel Eto’o and Eden Hazard injected some urgency in the London club. But some poor touches in the opponents’ penalty box let to the downfall of Chelsea. In minute of the match Salah rounded off Branislas Ivanovic after receiving a cross-field pass from Fabian Schar and put the ball into the back of the net with calm and composure leaving the home crowd
With this victory over Chelsea the Swiss side completed their double over them as they had beaten the Premier League side 2-1 in their own backyard. They are now a just one point away from their berth in the second round of this edition of the competition. A draw against Schalke will see them through to the next round.
Tags: Basel Basel beat Chelsea Branislas Ivanovic Champions League Champions League 2013 Chelsea Chelsea vs Basel Mohammed Salah Samuel Eto Schalke Steaua Bucharest
