Albian Ajeti’s early goal proved vital for FC Basel, as the Swiss side bucked a run of three winless outings in Europe this season with a nervy 2-0 victory over VfB Stuttgart on Matchday 2 of the UEFA Europa League.
There was no hanging about for Basel in their first home match of this year’s UEL, as the hosts went ahead after just three minutes.
A mix-up at the back allowed Albian Ajeti to charge through on goal, with the striker keeping his cool, before tucking a tidy finish into the back of the net.
Basel had a touch of fortune with the opener, and it appeared luck was on their side throughout the match, given that Stuttgart missed from the penalty spot 10 minutes before the break.
Tiago Tomas had drawn a foul inside the penalty area, but team-mate Ermedin Demirovic was unable to convert, with Marwin Hitz saving low to his right-hand side.
The setback didn’t deter Stuttgart from pushing for a route back into the game, with Jamie Leweling coming close on numerous occasions, while Badredine Bouanani flashed a shot wide of the Basel upright.
Bouanani only continued to threaten for the Bundesliga outfit, with Hitz called upon to deny the winger.
In the end, though, a sense of it not being their day crept over Stuttgart, with Basel taking advantage to seal the three points with a breakaway second.
Xherdan Shaqiri was the man who put the game out of sight, with the 33-year-old finding the back of the net with a cross-cum-shot from close range.
Frustrating for the Germans, whose three-match winning streak comes to an end, with a daunting trip to Istanbul to face Fenerbahce up next.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Xherdan Shaqiri (FC Basel)