- Basle qualified for the Champions League last 16 behind Manchester United
- Raphael Wicky’s side stunned United in the group stages in November
- Premier League leaders Manchester City await the Swiss side in the next round
- The Basle boss has admitted Basle will need everything to go their way to win
- Wicky insisted they have to be ‘realistic’ but refused to write his team off
Basle boss Raphael Wicky believes his team must have a ‘perfect night’ to stand any chance of beating Manchester City in their Champions League clash at St Jakob Park on Tuesday night.
The Swiss side beat Manchester United in a group game on the same ground in November with a 89th-minute winner as they qualified behind Jose Mourinho’s team.
It is only the third time that Basle have reached the knockout stage and Wicky is under no illusions that they will need another monumental effort in the first leg against runaway Premier League leaders City.
Basle boss Raphael Wicky has admitted his side are in for a tough ride against Manchester City
‘We need a perfect night,’ he said. ‘We need to believe and have the mentality to do it. We want to keep our hopes alive.
‘I think Manchester City have no weaknesses, they show that every days in all the competitions they’re in. We don’t have to talk about the quality of the players and especially the coach. You can see his philosophy. He coached Barcelona and Bayern Munich before, and you can see that with Manchester City.
The Swiss side face Pep Guardiola’s City in their Champions League last 16 first leg on Tuesday
Wicky’s side stunned City’s rivals Manchester United earlier this season with November’s win
‘We know the team and the players. Everybody knows them and what their style is – to have possession and be fast in transition.
‘We have to be realistic. We won’t have 50-60 per cent possession. There will be moments where we have the ball and we have to have courage and not be afraid. There won’t be any big surprises for us tomorrow.
‘If we, Basle, fight in such competitions we need a perfect game. We need a lot of courage and emotion, and for the fans have to be there to make such a night victorious for us.’
The Basle boss couldn’t ignore the fact they are facing a side with ‘no weaknesses’