Determined Basel keep Dinamo at bay

FC Basel 1893 goalkeeper Franco Costanzo was in inspired form as the Swiss side earned a valuable Group D point away to NK Dinamo Zagreb.

Late drama
The Argentinian custodian twice tipped searing drives over the bar to keep the visitors in the match at the Maksimir Stadium, but the hosts only had themselves to blame for not capitalising on a dominant performance. Gordon Schildenfeld and Marijo Mandžukić were both guilty of bad misses and Dinamo's evening was summed up in the final minute when Ognjen Vukojević saw his effort cannon agonisingly back off the post.

False dawn
Yet it was Basel that had begun the brightest as they sought to build on their 1-0 victory against Stade Rennais FC a fortnight ago. Scott Chipperfield was the instigator of much of their attacking play, and Daniel Majstorovic twice headed over crosses from the Australian when he should have done better. It proved a false dawn, however, and Dinamo soon found their rhythm as Mandžukić and Hrvoje Čale both tried their luck from distance. Ivan Ergić warmed Dinamo keeper George Koch's hands at the other end, though Basel found relief harder and harder to come by as the game went on.

Pressure
Midway through the first half Schildenfeld contrived to head Luka Modrić's corner wide, while Mandžukić, Vukojević and Franck Manga Guela all fired long-distance efforts off target. Costanzo was called upon soon after half-time to tip over Vukojević's curling effort and was on hand to collect Schildenfeld's header soon after. It was all Dinamo as Costanzo made further stops to deny substitute Carlos and then Mandžukić yet again. It was an evening to forget for the 21-year-old Mandžukić who headed a glorious chance wide and when Vukojević saw his effort hit the post, Dinamo knew their luck was out as Basel held on.