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Degen delight for buoyant Basel

David Degen believes FC Basel 1893 should have won by more after scoring in the 2-0 victory that puts the Swiss team in command against Middlesbrough FC.

FC Basel 1893 midfielder David Degen believes the Swiss side should have won by more after scoring the second goal in the 2-0 first-leg victory against Middlesbrough FC in the UEFA Cup quarter-finals.

Advantage Basel
Degen shot powerfully past Middlesbrough keeper Mark Schwarzer in first-half stoppage time, shortly after Matías Delgado had opened the scoring with his seventh goal of the competition. Brazilian striker Eduardo also had three good chances during a strong opening from the home team. "It's great to have won 2-0, but we could have won by even more. If we can score a goal in England, we should have the tie in the bag," Degen said. "For my goal, which made it 2-0, the goalkeeper left space at his near post - and I used this to my advantage."

'Strong defensively'
Basel coach Christian Gross was delighted with the result. "We were strong defensively and we closed down the space in midfield. I'm expecting a very demanding and physical return match next Thursday," Gross said. "But 2-0 at the halfway stage is a good position. A clean sheet against an English Premiership team is all you can ask for, and it could have been three but for a clearance off the line."

Bucharest target
Middlesbrough manager Steve McClaren added: "I thought for the first 40 minutes we looked very comfortable with nothing to fear, but those two goals before half-time epitomise European football." The winners will meet either FC Steaua Bucuresti or AFC Rapid Bucuresti in the semi-finals. The Bucharest sides drew 1-1 at Rapid's Giulesti stadium in their first leg.