FC Basel’s Home Struggles: A Deep Dive into a Concerning Trend
Sunday’s clash against FC Zürich at St. Jakob-Park presents a critical juncture for FC Basel. While the Zürchers arrive in a slump – having secured only one point from their last five Super League matches and missing key scorer Philippe Kény through suspension – the spotlight is firmly on Basel’s recent home form. The situation is becoming increasingly precarious for RotBlau.
The upcoming match finds Basel facing a worrying statistic: they haven’t tasted victory in a Super League home game in six matches. A failure to win on Sunday would equal their longest streak without a home win since the 2020/21 season under Ciriaco Sforza, when they endured seven consecutive league games without a victory at the Joggeli.
A Fortress Lost? St. Jakob-Park’s Declining Influence
St. Jakob-Park, once a daunting venue for opposing teams, is no longer the fortress it once was. Basel currently sits sixth in the Super League home table, a stark contrast to their historical dominance. The team appears increasingly tense when playing in front of their own supporters, a factor that hasn’t translated into positive results.
The last league win at home for Dominik Schmid and FC Basel came on October 29th – a 2-0 victory against, ironically, FC Zürich. Since then, four draws and two losses have plagued their home record. Their last clean sheet at home was on December 14th, a 0-0 draw against Lausanne.
Historical Context: A Rare Occurrence
While a seven-game winless streak at home would be concerning, it’s important to note that FC Basel has experienced a longer drought in the past. Lausanne-Sport holds the Super League record for the longest stretch without a home win, going 18 games between October 2016 and September 2017. However, the current situation highlights a clear decline in Basel’s home advantage.
The Captaincy Change and Team Dynamics
Recent changes within the team, notably the shift in captaincy from Taulant Xhaka and Dominik Schmid to Xherdan Shaqiri, add another layer of complexity. Fabio Celestini, the FCB coach, explained the decision before the 2-2 draw against Lugano, expressing a need for more from left-back Dominik Schmid. This public critique and change in leadership could be contributing to the team’s instability.
Despite the captaincy change, Shaqiri immediately demonstrated leadership qualities, scoring a goal and providing an assist in his first match as captain. However, this individual brilliance hasn’t yet translated into consistent team success.
Head-to-Head Record: A Silver Lining?
Despite their current struggles, Basel’s historical record against FC Zürich offers a glimmer of hope. They’ve won their last four encounters, with an impressive goal difference of 11-3. However, only one of those victories occurred at St. Jakob-Park – the 2-0 win on October 29th. Their last home defeat against Zürich was a 0-2 loss on September 21, 2024.
FAQ
Q: What is FC Basel’s current home form?
A: FC Basel is currently on a six-game winless streak in the Super League at St. Jakob-Park.
Q: Who is the current captain of FC Basel?
A: Xherdan Shaqiri is the current captain of FC Basel.
Q: What is the longest winless streak at home in Super League history?
A: Lausanne-Sport holds the record with 18 games without a home win between 2016 and 2017.
Q: When was FC Basel’s last home win?
A: October 29th, against FC Zürich.
Did you know? FC Basel has been Swiss national champions 21 times, and Swiss Cup winners 14 times.
Pro Tip: Keep an eye on Xherdan Shaqiri’s performance. His leadership and attacking prowess will be crucial for Basel to break their home form slump.
What do you think Basel needs to do to regain their home advantage? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
