Embolo has taken a heavy knock after a collision with Astori. He hobbles off for medical attention and he does appear to be in some pain.
90'
There is to be three minutes added on here.
88'
Z. Kuzmanović enters the game and replaces B. Bjarnason.
Second change for the hosts now, as Kuzmanovic gets on against his former side. Bjarnason makes way.
87'
Basel's late pressing for a winner continues, as Calla races up the left and wins a corner from Tomovic. Will they keep this in the corner, or will they go for a third goal?
85'
Gilberto enters the game and replaces M. Badelj.
K. Babacar enters the game and replaces F. Bernardeschi.
And the second change sees Bernardeschi taken off for Babacar, a physical centre-forward.
As part of a double change, Badelj is replaced in the middle, with Gilberto taking his place. Fresh legs in the centre may be what is needed.
82'
It's all Basel at the moment. This result sends the hosts through regardless of what happens elsewhere, but you wouldn't guess looking at things at the moment that it was Fiorentina who were in the more uncertain position.
80'
Fiorentina are starting to sit back a lot now. It seems the visitors are simply more interested in avoiding defeat now as the hosts try to make the most of their current rhythm.
78'
L. Zuffi gets yellow.
Luca Zuffi takes one for the team, as Fiorentina appear to be breaking free through the middle and the midfielder hauls down Kalinic.
77'
JUST WIDE! Basel are looking bright again up and a cross from the left from Calla causes problems. Embolo rises above Alonso to meet the ball but sends his header just past the post.
Minute
Description
76'
Really poor delivery from Valero, who comes across to take the free-kick and sends it straight over everyone and out for a goal-kick. Such a waste.
75'
Borja Valero gets yellow.
More brainless defending from Suchy, who made the ridiculous decision to barged Kalinic over to the side of the penalty area. Valero gets booked asking for the defender to be sent off, but the Basel man remains on the field.
74'
Mohamed Elneny has scored a goal for Basel!
GOAL!!! BASEL ARE LEVEL! Fiorentina fail to clear their lines properly from a Basel corner and the ball ultimately drops for El-Nenny on the edge of the area. The Egyptian takes a touch and gets a shot away, firing beyond Sepe from 20 yards. A fine finish!
72'
Kalinic picks up the ball just inside the Basel half and with no one in support to he opts to drive forward by himself, but he is quickly halted by Suchy, who does just enough without going over the top.
71'
This time it is Embolo who get penalised, as the 18-year-old catches Vecino as the Fiorentina man tries to take the ball away. Just a few moments before Janko almost connected with a Xhaka cross, though the visitors defended the situation well.
69'
Audacious effort from Calla, as the substitute cuts in from the left, darts towards the middle and sends a speculative drive well wide. Perhaps it was worth a try, but that never looked like troubling Sepe.
67'
Fiorentina are defending superbly at the moment. They are preventing Basel from creating anything of note and this time it is Bernardeschi who gets back, steals the ball and wins a free-kick.
65'
M. Suchý gets yellow.
Suchy finally goes into the referee's book. The centre-back needlessly trips the charging Kalinic inside the centre-circle and gets a caution. That was so blatant that he looked like he was trying to get a yellow card. As a result, he will miss their next match.
64'
Another aerial encounter, another free-kick in Kalinic's favour. Unsurprisingly it is Suchy whom he meets in the air, and the defender nudges him to the ground. It is amazing that the Basel man still hasn't been booked.
63'
Basel are appealing for everything at the moment. This time El-Nenny tries to ram his way through a crowd of players on the edge of the area and then he throws himself to the floor. There was minimal contact, but certainly not enough for a penalty. The referee rightly ignores their protests.
61'
Free-kick to Fiorentina out on the left, as Valero is cynically brought down by Lang even though he did not appear to be going anywhere. A needless foul, shall we say?
60'
D. Callà enters the game and replaces J. Boëtius.
First change for the home side now, as Boetius - who has failed to build on early promise - is replaced by Calla.
59'
More good play by the hosts. Boetius gets beyond Tomovic with his pace and then tees Zuffi up for a cross. The midfielder's delivery is deep towards the back post and Embolo almost meets it, but he cannot keep it from going out for a goal kick.
57'
Promising move by the home side. Eventually Xhaka crosses after good work by Bjarnarson and Janko manages to partially meet it with a header, but he is then penalised for an apparent foul on Gonzalo. The defender claims an elbow was thrown, but there was very little in it.
56'
This is better from the hosts now, though. Basel are patiently stroking the ball around and biding their time, keeping Fiorentina penned into their defensive third. They need to make more of this pressure, though.
54'
Fiorentina win another free-kick. Kalinic's presence has been troublesome for Basel so far and again he forces the hosts into action, as Zuffi is adjudged to have fouled the Croatian with a shove in the air.
52'
Suchy and Kalinic are at the centre of attention yet again, though this time it is the Czech defender who comes off worse. The centre-back received an elbow to the face, though it looked accidental.
51'
Decent effort from Alonso. The Spanish full-back stands over the free-kick and sends a curling left-footed effort towards goal, sending it just wide of the post.
50'
Suchy fouls again. This time he is chasing down Kalinic and in the end he just shoves the Croatian to the floor about 25 yards from goal. Somehow the Basel captain escapes a booking again.
49'
Too often today Suchy has been guilty of going in forcefully from behind and this time it is Kalinic who he catches, about 30 yards from goal. He escapes a booking, though.
48'
Despite their numerical disadvantage, the visitors have started the second period with plenty of intent and are dictating possession out there. They will need to stay like this and avoid risks if they are to remain ahead.
46'
Off we go for the second half, as Fiorentina get us under way.
45' +5
HALF-TIME!
45' +4
That's an important touch from Astori, as the defender deflects the free-kick over the goal with his head. The referee then blows his whistle for half-time before Basel can take the corner, much to the annoyance of the home support.
45' +3
M. Badelj gets yellow.
A third booking in quick succession is given to Badelj, who goes flying in and knocks Embolo over just outside the Fiorentina area. This is a very good opportunity for the home side.
45' +1
G. Rodríguez gets yellow.
M. Janko gets yellow.
Gonzalo goes into the referee's book after a clash on the edge of the Fiorentina area which happened off the ball. It is not entirely clear what happened, but the two came together and tussled.
Janko also receives a booking for his role in the altercation with Gonzalo. That was all a bit needless to be honest.
45'
There will be three minutes added on here.
44'
More fouls. First Alonso is blocked off again by Lang, who, as before, escapes a booking. Then Boetius is barged over by Tomovic at the other end.
42'
It's still all to play for here. The hosts have the goal they were desperate for and have halved the deficit. They still have the numerical advantage which could count for a lot in the second half when players begin to tire.
40'
M. Suchý has scored a goal for Basel!
GOAL!!! BASEL ARE BACK IN IT! Fiorentina do not react well to a short corner and Zuffi produces a fine cross. Embolo forces Sepe into a brilliant save with a diving header, but the goalkeeper's efforts come to nothing, as Suchy stabs home from close range.
38'
This has been a match full of niggling fouls and we see another one as Lang barges into the back of Alonso out wide. Such tempo can only play into the hands of the visitors.
36'
F. Bernardeschi has scored a goal for Fiorentina! Assist by N. Kalinić.
Brilliant hold-up play by Kalinic, who receives the ball, bides his time and then lays off to Bernardeschi when the opportunity for his own shot passed.
GOAL!!!! THE TEN MEN STRIKE BACK! Lovely play by the visitors. Valero takes up possession in midfield and finds Alonso out to his left, who immediately picks out a low cross to Kalinic. The striker keeps his cool, tees up Bernardeschi and the midfielder doubles his tally with a composed finish.
35'
Basel have adapted well to the sending off in terms of increasing the pressure. They manage to get another shot away in the final third as Xhaka gets forward again, but his drilled effort sails just over
33'
N. Tomović enters the game and replaces J. Iličić.
In response to the sending off, Tomovic replaces Ilicic. It is perhaps a surprise to see Fiorentina take off their most creative player.
The Basel corner doesn't initially cause too much damage, but the ball is swiftly chipped towards the back post for Bjarnason, who sends a fierce volley just wide. That was a decent effort.
32'
Xhaka is proving a decent outlet on the right and he digs another cross out which is half cleared out to the edge of the area. Boetius sees an effort blocked and then El-Nenny's follow-up attempt is deflected over. Corner.
30'
Basel have ramped things up a bit since the sending off. They are pushing men forward with more urgency and focing Fiorentina back into their defensive third. This is better from the hosts.
28'
Basel were made to wait before the could take the free-kick, as Embolo received medical attention. Eventually Xhaka delivers the set-piece from the left but Fiorentina clear it out to the left. El-Nenny then crosses, only for Astori to nod away.
26'
F. Roncaglia goes off after a red card!
B. Bjarnason gets yellow.
RED CARD! It's all kicking off little bit out there now. Roncaglia has gone in hard on a few players already and on this occasion he swings an elbow viciously into the face of Embolo, who feels the full force. The referee shows no hesitation to send him off.
Birkir Bjarnason was the first man on the scene in the aftermath of Roncaglia's elbow and the Basel man is booked for shoving the Argentine.
23'
F. Bernardeschi has scored a goal for Fiorentina! Assist by Borja Valero.
Borja feeds a pass between the left-back and centre-back to find the run and Bernardeschi makes no mistake.
GOAL!!!! FIORENTINA TAKE THE LEAD! Boetius is robbed under pressure in his own half and the ball then drops to Kalinic. The Croat holds it up and finds Valero. The midfielder spots the run of Bernardeschi and the Italian produces a cool finish to take the lead. A deserved lead at that.
22'
B. Safari gets yellow.
And there is the first yellow card of the game. Ilicic produces a brilliant turn while receiving a pass, luring Safari into a rash foul and the Basel man has his name taken.
21'
Vailati is not looking overly confident out there. For the second time he is forced to clear under a little pressure and he blasts the ball straight out of play. That will be something Fiorentina will hope to exploit.
19'
We have a pause in play now as Safari seeks medical attention. The Basel full-back received a ball to the face and it was quite fierce. He should be okay, however.
17'
Lovely touch by Bernardeschi, as the Italy Under-21 international brings the ball down in style on the right edge of the area. He bides his time and passes back to the centre for Badelj, but the midfielder makes the rash decision to shoot from 25 yards. His left-footed effort is dragged well wide.
15'
Boetius is finding himself a marked man now. The winger receives a pass in his own half this time and has Roncaglia on him in a flash. The defender clatters into him and unsurprisingly gives away a free-kick. He manages to find the audacity to complain about the decision, though.
14'
Lovely play again by Ilicic as he cuts inside from the right and glides past a couple of Basel players. He eventuall slips the ball out to the left for Alonso, but Xhaka defends the threat well and steals possession back.
13'
By contrast to Boetius, Embolo has been quiet so far. He tries to get around Roncaglia on this occasion but is swiftly stopped in his tracks by the Argentina international. The Fiorentina man has started well.
11'
So far Boetius looks to be Basel's best threat in attack. The young Dutchman has seen the ball a few times and has been lively out on the left. This time he cuts on to his right foot and crosses towards Janko, but Sepe makes an easy catch.
9'
Good pressure from Kalinic, as the Fiorentina striker closes down Vailati and forces him into a rushed clearance which is harmlessly sliced out of play. The visitors fail to make the most of the opportunity, though, as they swiftly gift possession back to the hosts.
7'
Fiorentina are looking at their brightest down the right flank with Ilicic. Again he gets on the ball and gets beyond his marker before crossing right-footed. Suchy partially clears it as far as Bernardeschi about 20 yards out and his tame effort is easily saved by Vailati.
5'
Janko is lucky to get away without a booking there, as the Austrian goes in hard on Badelj from behind and knocks the Croatian to the ground. The latter certainly let his yell be heard there.
4'
NO PENALTY! Fiorentina are fuming with the referee. Ilicic does brilliantly on the edge of the area, as he latches on to Kalinic's knock-down, skips past one defender, lures another into a desperate lunge as he shapes to shoot. The attacker cuts inside but has the ball taken off him by El-Nenny's hand, yet no penalty is given.
3'
Positive start for the visitors, who have already been looking to get the ball to Ilicic as soon as possible. They are showing plenty of intent so early, something Sousa will be happy about.
1'
Off we go! Basel get us started.
Hello and welcome to the LIVE coverage of Basel versus Fiorentina in the Europa League. I will be describing the action for you today as these two sides go head-to-head at St. Jakob Park, with plenty to play for at the top of Group I. Can the Italians vanquish their hosts' lead at the top, or will Basel create an unassailable gap?
TEAM NEWS:
Basel starting XI (4-4-2): Vailati; Xhaka, M Lang, Suchy, Safari; Boetius, El-Nenny, Zuffi, Bjarnason; Embolo, Janko.
Fiorentina starting XI (4-5-1): Sepe; G. Rodriguez, Astori, Roncaglia, Alonso; Bernardeschi, Badelj, Vecino, Borja Valero, Ilicic; Kalinic.
There has still not been anything decided in Group I until today. As arguably the most complicated group in the competition, all four teams can still qualify for the next stage after four matches. Both Basel and Fiorentina will be aiming for all three points, while a draw in the other match between Belenenses and Lech Poznan would prove handy too.
Fiorentina will qualify tonight and go level on nine points with Basel should they emerge victorious and the other match remains a draw. Things are more simple for the Swiss champions; win and they are through, regardless of what happens elsewhere. Nevertheless, their visitors tonight are in fine form domestically and have won both of their two away games in the Europa League so far this term, so it certainly doesn't look an easy task.
Furthermore, Paulo Sousa is able to name Nikola Kalinic in his starting XI for his first return to Basel. The striker scored twice off the bench to rescue a 2-2 draw with Empoli at the weekend, while the in-form Ilicic also starts in an attacking position, coming in for Babacar. The visitors do have a few players missing, though, as Ante Rebic (suspended), Jakub Blaszczykowski (injured) and Mario Suarez (dropped) are all absent.
Basel also have a few players who cannot be involved, yet coach Urs Fischer is still able to name a strong starting XI, which includes plenty of attacking talent. Jean-Paul Boetius and the highly rated teenager Breel Embolo will support Marc Janko, while Mohamed El-Nenny will also get forward from midfield whenever he can. Former Fiorentina midfielder Zdravko Kuzmanovic takes a place on the bench.
The two teams are out on the pitch as we approach kick-off.
The two sides go into the break after an intriguing first half which resulted in three goals and a sending off. Fiorentina were the better side before the mindless sending off of Roncaglia, but they still managed to double their lead through the impressive Bernardeschi, who also scored their first. Basel have bought themselves a lifeline, though, thanks to Suchy's goal towards the end of the half.
Basel go through to the knockout phase of the Europa League as Group I winners thanks to El-Nenny's late equaliser, as the Swiss champions came from two down to rescue a point. Such an outcome looked almost an impossibility at times in the first half, as Fiorentina went two up in spite of Roncaglia's vicious red card. But the host fought back through Suchy - who in the end was lucky not to get sent off himself for a series of fouls - and then El-Nenny striking 16 minutes from time, preventing Sousa from enjoying his return to the club he coached last season. The Italians must now play things out on matchday six for the chance to finish second in the group.
Thank you for joining me today. I hope you've enjoyed the action. Farewell until next time!
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