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MIDDLESBROUGH v FC BASEL - BRIGGSY'S ANALYSIS
Can we play you every week?
We went into the game knowing the correct result on the night would almost certainly be put up there with the best results ever in the club's history.
McClaren decided to go with a rigid 4-4-2 formation. Schwarzer, Parnaby, Southgate, Riggott, Queudrue, Morrison, Boateng, Rochemback, Downing, Yakubu and Viduka.
Despite the defeat in the first leg, it was certainly the most eagerly anticipated game since the Carling Cup final, just over two years ago. Almost everyone believed we could overturn the 2-0 deficit, but certainly not in the fashion we did.
The atmosphere before the game and as the teams came out was electrifying, enough to intimidate any away team and inspire the home team.
We almost had the perfect start after thirteen seconds. A hopeful long ball down field from Boateng was caught then spilled by the Basel keeper and the Yak was on hand to pick up the loose ball but his tame effort went agonisingly wide. I was sure the ref was going to blow for a foul but he didn't. What a chance!
It was a fairly frantic start with both teams starting in high tempo. Sterjovski went close to grabbing that vital away goal, before we had not one but two penalty shouts turned down. The first was when Viduka went 'down under' a hefty challenge from the Basel defender. It was touch and go. The second was a nailed on penalty for me. The Yak was taken down from behind. The ref waved away the shouts from both the players and the fans.
The game was very much open, with both teams going at it hammer and tong. The deadlock was broken however on twenty-three minutes when a lofted Basel free kick was headed across goal by Smiljanic and Eduardo was on hand to slot the ball home at the near post.
The sinking feeling could be felt all around the Riverside. The ball across goal seemed to stay in the air for an age, almost like watching an instant replay when you knew what the outcome would be.
There was a roar from the fans reminding the players that this game was far from over yet. Now was the moment when we would find out if the Boro lions had the courage to overturn a 3-0 deficit.
The away fans were in very good voice at this stage, with every reason to be. Surely they have the confidence that their team would progress to the last four. But they obviously didn't know that everything at Boro isn't done by the rule book.
Queudrue received a hefty knock going up for an aerial challenge and needed medical attention. After spending what felt like an age off the pitch he returned with his head bandaged. What is it with Boro and head bandages this season? They seem to be quite a fashion item. Someone hasn't told Rochemback that you only get one when you actually receive a knock though.
After a bright spell of pressure hope was restored on the half hour mark. Viduka received a pin-point ball from Yakubu and showed good strength to hold of the Basel defender and unleashed an unstoppable shot past the helpless keeper. The stadium erupted.
Yakubu nearly had himself a goal just before the break. Good link up play with Viduka gave the Nigerian the opportunity to turn his defender and get in a shot but the keeper made a good save to deny him.
The half-time whistle was received with a round of applause from the Boro fans. We could sense this game wasn't over just yet. After watching the first-half highlights I was furious to see that the penalty that was waved away as it was nailed on. There was a huge cheer when the replay of the Viduka goal was shown. There was real belief we could do it. I thought to myself, to put ourselves in good stead we needed an early goal in the second half.
As the teams re-emerged from the tunnel, the players were greeted with a electrifying cheer. Both fans and players were boosted even more to see the inspirational Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink on the pitch.
It was clear from the off, it was going to be backs against the wall stuff for Basel. We threw everything at them. Ten minutes after the break Viduka gave Basel something when an effort from range was saved down low by the Basel keeper. Minutes later we got the early goal we very much needed. A lowly paced ball through by Yakubu found Viduka who rounded the keeper and found the net past the two backtracking Basel defenders. Get in!!
"Two more, we only need two more" was the chant from the fans. Basel certainly weren't going down without a fight, going with a six man backline.
McClaren decided to add another striker to the Boro frontline, replacing Morrison with Massimo Maccarone. We now employed a 3-3-4/4-2-4 formation. Certainly a brave move but we had nothing to lose.
Majstorovic was proving a rock at the back for Basel but with fifteen minutes to go we were granted a huge blessing. Majstorovic was involved in a fracas with Boateng. The Basel defender was shown his second yellow of the game and walked. Minutes later a long range effort from Rochemback was too hot to handle for the Basel keeper, as he pushed it round for a corner.
The scores were levelled on aggregate with ten minutes to go. Hasselbaink received the ball from fellow Dutchman Boateng. Jimmy locked on the target and unleashed an unstoppable shot which left the Basel keeper rooted to the spot. The stadium erupted! Twelve minutes to go, we can do this!
After throwing everything but the kitchen sink at them the dream was realised in the ninetieth minute. An effort from Rochemback was parried by the Basel keeper and Maccarone was in the right place at the right time. He fired his shot into the bottom left hand corner from an acute angle.
We'd done it. I was shell shocked. The atmosphere was amazing, everyone was hugging each other, people were crying and jumping up and down like carefree lunatics.
But the game wasn't over just yet. Basel went close to scoring a cruel goal in the final minute, but super Mark Schwarzer was on hand to deny Basel.
At the final whistle the stadium erupted. I went mental, I was completely shocked and I still am. The game will live with every Boro fan for the rest of their days. We're making history!
Everyone stayed until the end and watched on as the players celebrated on the pitch. Both club and fans were united.
People have called this season poor but for me it's up there with the best of them in my view. It's had everything - drama, mediocrity, controversy, entertainment, delirium... And its not over...
Last night's game sums up our season. I'm already looking forward to the prospect of playing the mighty Barcelona next season in the European Super Cup.
Steve McClaren's Red and White Army.
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