Eran Zahavi heroically scored a header in the final minute of stoppage time to equalise for Maccabi Tel-Aviv at FC Basel in the first leg of their final UEFA Champions League playoff, as the game ended 2-2.
A fine performance from Zahavi
Zahavi finished with a brace on the day, playing wonderful football for a club who only held 26% possession in the match. He scored the game's first goal in the 31st minute, giving some breathing room to the defensively-pressed Maccabi players. He has been the constant driving force in the Tel-Aviv midfield, scoring 60 goals in his 76 appearances with the team since signing in 2013.
It had seemed as if Breel Embolo had won the match for Basel in the 88th minute, as he put away a go-ahead one-on-one chance against goalkeeper Juan Pablo Colinas to gain a 2-1 lead.
Matias Delgado scored the original equaliser on a 39th-minute penalty. Delgado was replaced by substitute Jean-Paul Boetius in the 67th minute which was Boetius' debut with the Swiss club.
FC Basel dominated this match in terms of form, but Zahavi was able to overcome the lopsided stat sheet and talent of Basel to force a draw heading to Israel for the second leg. Basel finished the match with advantages in every category on the scoreboard aside from goals.
The distribution and attack were on-point most of the time for Basel, as they mounted 17 shots (6 on target) and completed 644 passes at an 87% accuracy rate (this contributed to their 74% possession). Tel-Aviv only connected on 66% percent of their passes (174), and managed to only strike five shots. Zahavi's two shots on target were all they needed, as both found their way to the back of the net in this Wednesday evening draw.
Expectedly, Maccabi played absolutely stellar defense, reaching 89% tackle accuracy, making 25 clearances, and intercepting 23 passes. Keeper Juan Pablo made 4 saves while Basel's Tomas Vaclik made none.
What next for the tie?
These teams will face off in Leg 2 next Tuesday, August 25th at Bloomfield Stadium in Tel Aviv. Maccabi have two away goals to take away from Wednesday's draw, meaning that Basel either have to emerge with a win or a draw of at least a 2-2 score to win. In the case of a 2-2 draw, the match will go to extra time and then if still at a dead heap, to penalties.
Basel play AC Lugano on August 23rd, just two days prior to Leg 2. Manager Urs Fisher may consider benching his key players if he wants to make UEFA qualification a priority. Maccabi on the other hand get to rest up for this upcoming make-or-break match.