Basel 2 - 2 Fiorentina: Basle through to Europa League knockout phase after 2-2 draw with Fiorentina

Posted Friday, November 27, 2015 by PA

A stunning long-range effort from Mohamed El-Nenny earned Basle a 2-2 draw against 10-man Fiorentina at St Jakob-Park to ensure the Swiss side's qualification for the knockout stages of the Europa League.

Victory for the Viola would have see them move level on points with their hosts at the top of the Group I table.

Despite recovering from a red card for defender Facundo Roncaglia, who elbowed Breel Embolo, to lead 2-0 through a double from Federico Bernarderschi, the Italian team were not able to hold on.

Captain Marek Suchy reduced the deficit before half-time, and El-Nenny cracked in a fine equaliser on 74 minutes.

The match between Belenenses and Lech Poznan ended goalless, leaving Fiorentina two points clear in second place on seven points - three points behind leaders Basle, who will advance as pool winners if they avoid defeat in Poland next month.

Fiorentina had made a positive start as Federico Bernarderschi tested Basle goalkeeper Germano Vailati, and they went ahead on 23 minutes.

After the ball was won just inside the Basle half, Borja Valero held off his pass to pick out Bernarderschi's run into the right side of the penalty area.

The forward did not break his stride as he dropped his shoulder to curl the ball over the goalkeeper.

The match turned ugly just a few minutes later when Argentinian defender Roncaglia was shown a straight red card for an elbow into the face of Embolo.

The visitors, however, regrouped and doubled their lead on 36 minutes.

Marcos Alonso sent in a low cross from the left, which Nikola Kalinic held up at the near post, before stabbing the ball across for Federico Bernarderschi to smash home at point-blank range.

Basle pulled a goal back before half-time through captain Suchy.

Luca Zuffi lofted the ball in from the left, from which Embolo sent a bullet header goalwards.

Although Fiorentina goalkeeper Luigi Sepe made a smart reaction save, Suchy was alert to stab the rebound in through a crowded six-yard box.

The hosts continued to press in the second half, with Davide Calla drilling over from 20 yards after more good build-up by the Swiss Super League side.

Eventually, the pressure paid off with a stunning equaliser on 74 minutes.

Taulant Xhaka drove towards the Fiorentina penalty area, with the ball eventually dropping back out to El-Nenny, some 30 yards from goal.

The Egypt international needed no second invitation, as he despatched a fierce drive into the top-left corner.