Basel have managed to pull a goal back after 10-man Fiorentina took a 2-0 lead before the half-time whistle in tonight's Europa League match in Switzerland.
It was a slow start to the game as neither side posed much of a threat in the early stages until Federico Bernardeschi unleashed a strike from distance.
The effort was dangerous enough to cause goalkeeper Germano Vailati to drop to his side and stop the ball from trickling into the bottom right corner.
Fiorentina kept trying to break the deadlock as the half progressed, but they were unable to make it count as a long-range effort from Milan Badeji went well wide of the target.
The breakthrough came in the 23rd minute when Bernardeschi powered a thumping drive from the edge of the area into the bottom left corner of the net.
It went from euphoria to gloom for Fiorentina just minutes later when Facundo Roncaglia was given a straight red card for an unnecessary challenge.
With the Italian side down to 10 men, Basel grew in confidence and created some chances in the final third, one of which came from Taulant Xhaka whose effort glided just over the bar.
The home side's spell did not last long, though, as Fiorentina extended their lead through Bernardeschi, who secured a tap-in off a well-executed pass from Nikola Kalinic.
Basel refused to give up as they gave themselves a glimmer of hope of getting a result after Marek Suchy snatched a rebound after the ball bounced to him in the box.
Basel will qualify with a win, but both teams will make it through to the final 32 if Fiorentina win and there is a draw in the other group game in Lisbon.
Danielle Joynson
