Intro:

Basel begin the defence of their Swiss Super League title by beating Aarau 2-1 on Saturday in the opening game of the 2014-2015 season.

Script:

Basel travelled to Aarau for the opening game of the new Swiss Super League season on Saturday.

The champions' new signing Yoichiro Kakitani was a notable absentee from the matchday squad but Basel didn't miss his creativity as Breel Embolo capitalised on a defensive error.

The visitors' Matías Delgado then broke the offside trap and Naser Aliji finished superbly after Shkëlzen Gashi's rebound. Just 53 kilometres separates the two cities but now there were two goals.

Basel should have had a third but Delgado wasted Aliji's incisive cross.

Delgado almost made amends by setting up Embolo but the post denied the Cameroonian his brace. The 17-year-old ghosted past Joel Mall with ease.

Aarau substitute Alain Schultz pulled one back with the outside of his right boot to ensure a nervy finish for Paulo Sousa's side.

But Basel held on to a 2-1 victory which ensures a winning start to their title defence.