Dynamo and Basel have much in common today. Both sides are leaders of their domestic leagues after the first half of the season. They’ve reached euro cups knock-out stage. In the Champions League round of 16 Basel will face FC Porto.
Dynamo centre back Aleksandar Dragovic must be glad that he’ll face Basel as he became known in football world featuring for this club. In summer of 2012 he became Swiss Super League best defender.
Basel have been winning the domestic league for five seasons in a row. They have 17 trophies. Only Grasshopper have more (24). In 2012/13 season Basel reached the Europa League semifinal.
In summer of 2014 Portuguese coach Paulo Sousa took charge of the club. Basel have played 18 games in Swiss Super League under his charge: 13 wins, 2 draws, 3 defeats, goal difference – 40:18. The key goalkeeper of the team is Tomáš Vaclík, leading defender is Switzerland international Fabian Schär.
As for halfbacks, Basel top goalscorer is midfielder Shkëlzen Gashi, who netted 11 goals in 15 Super league matches. Fabian Frei and Mohamed Elneny are also among leaders. Speaking about strikers, Sousa has legendary Marco Streller and talented youngsters Derlis Gonzalez and Breel Embolo.
Getting ready for the second half of the season Basel have already played three friendlies. They’ve hammered FC Hegenheim 9:0, defeated Fortuna Düsseldorf 2:1 and played in a draw against Karlsruher SC – 2:2.
Copyright © 2015 FC Dynamo Kyiv
