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So half-time, and it hasn’t made for a great spectacle so far.
United have done well in patches but haven’t really gotten out of second gear.
A draw will see United go through and clinch top spot, while it wouldn’t be the worst result for Basel, so that’s possibly another factor to explain the lack of entertainment and subdued nature of the contest so far.
The42 has just published its first book, Behind The Lines, a collection of some of the year’s best sports stories. Pick up your copy in Eason’s, or order it here today (€10):
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As it happened: Basel v Man United, Champions League
Hello, and welcome to tonight’s liveblog.
As always, we’d love to hear your thoughts on the game. E-mail paul@the42.ie, tweet @the42_ie, post a message to our Facebook wall, or leave a comment below.
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Kick off for the games is at 7.45pm.
Pogba captains United tonight…
And here’s the Basel team…
We’re under way…
After a lively start by Basel, Man United have taken control of this game.
They’re dominating possession and territory at the moment, with Basel sitting back and inviting them on.
It’s been fairly even so far.
Neither side has managed to create a clear-cut chance.
Lots of patient, possession football from United, before Lukaku finds himself through on goal, but the goalkeeper gets down well to make the save.
Moments later, a Fellaini header is cleared off the line.
Fellaini goes close again.
The Belgian international heads Blind’s free kick just wide.
Basel have offered little in attack so far.
There have been too many stray passes and a lack of conviction in the final third as far as the home side are concerned.
In stark contrast with the constant thrills of Sevilla-Liverpool last night, it’s been fairly subdued at St Jakob-Park.
United look like a team well aware that a point will be good enough for them to progress.
United continue to dominate the play.
However, Basel have been well organised — it doesn’t look like their backline will be breached too easily.
A Pogba free kick has just sailed over.
It has not been the most entertaining of games to watch.
Basel have had very little possession.
They’ve spent so long chasing the ball that they don’t seem to have the energy to do much with it when they get it.
Chance for Basel, after a clumsy foul by Pogba on Oberlin.
The same player takes the free kick, but fires it well over.
Another chance for Fellaini.
The Belgian’s header from Martial’s cross comes off the post.
The midfielder has been United’s biggest attacking threat so far.
Martial shows blistering pace to get away from Basel’s defenders.
However, Vaclík gets down well to make the save.
Moments later, Rojo’s shot from distance hits the crossbar after taking a deflection.
HALF-TIME: BASEL 0-0 MAN UNITED
So half-time, and it hasn’t made for a great spectacle so far.
United have done well in patches but haven’t really gotten out of second gear.
A draw will see United go through and clinch top spot, while it wouldn’t be the worst result for Basel, so that’s possibly another factor to explain the lack of entertainment and subdued nature of the contest so far.
The second half has begun…
Martial does well to find Lukaku, but his header is off target.
United continue to look the more threatening side in this second half.
Still no sign of a breakthrough here.
Ibrahimovic has started warming up.
Suddenly, the game and the crowd come to life.
Steffen bursts forward, but his shot is straight at Romero.
Steffen draws a foul from Blind down the right wing.
He’s looked lively in recent minutes.
Fellaini is penalised for a foul on Zuffi down the left wing.
The Belgian international is not the most popular man on the park by any means tonight.
As I type, the increasingly influential Steffen finds space down the right, before curling a shot just wide.
United subsequently make an attacking change, with Rashford on for Lingard.
Another change for United.
Pogba is replaced by Matic.
United fail to properly deal with a ball into the box and it falls to Lang, whose header comes back off the post.
The hosts are playing with a bit more self-belief going forward now, in contrast with their underwhelming first-half efforts.
Steffen goes down under Rojo’s challenge, but the ref ignores calls for a penalty.
Replays suggest he went down too easily.
Oberlin is played through, but Rojo makes a brilliant last-ditch challenge to block his shot.
Down the other end, Rashford’s shot is deflected into the side-netting.
It’s been a more open second half.
Ibrahimovic is on.
He replaces Martial, though United look very attacking, with Rashford and Lukaku also still on the pitch.
Dié’s shot from distance forces a save from Romero.
Just over 10 minutes left — if it stays this way, United’s place in the knockout stages will be confirmed.
Dié’s injured and unable to continue.
He’s replaced by Fransson.
BASEL 1-0 MAN UNITED (LANG 89)
Incredible stuff! Out of nothing Basel take the lead.
A cross finds Lang at the backpost, and he taps home.
FULL-TIME: BASEL 1-0 MAN UNITED
Right, that’s all from me. Thanks for reading and commenting.
You can read our report of the game here.
The42 has just published its first book, Behind The Lines, a collection of some of the year’s best sports stories. Pick up your copy in Eason’s, or order it here today (€10):
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