FC Basel 0-0 Sevilla: Vaclik sparkles in Switzerland stalemate

Both sides had their chances throughout but the deadlock remained intact, ensuring an intriguing second leg at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan next week is on the cards

Tomas Vaclik produced a number of key saves to help Basel earn a 0-0 draw with 10-manSevilla in the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie at St. Jakob-Park.

Vaclik showed excellent reflexes to keep out fine second-half efforts from Steven N'Zonzi and Kevin Gameiro and deny the holders what would have been a crucial away goal in a very even affair.Basel also had chances to take a lead to Sevilla in the return leg next week, with Marc Janko spurning a guilt-edged header after seven minutes before Renato Steffen hit the post after the break.

Sevilla, who were much better going forward after the interval, found themselves hanging on towards the end after N'Zonzi was sent off for picking up a second yellow card in the 87th minute.

Having won their last 15 matches in all competitions at Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium, Sevilla will now fancy their chances of completing the job in Spain next week.  

For Basel, the chances of pulling off a shock now look slim, but they will hope the return from suspension of young striker Breel Embolo might inspire them in Seville.

Striker Janko missed a golden opportunity to put Basel ahead when Steffen's cross found him unmarked in the box after six minutes, but the Austrian powered his header wide.

Icelandic midfielder Birkir Bjarnason beat the Sevilla offside trap and had the goal at his mercy moments later, but his first touch let him down and visiting goalkeeper David Soria gratefully gathered the ball.

Veteran Basel defender Walter Samuel ruled himself out of the second leg when he picked up a booking for hauling down Michael Krohn-Dehli, but Sevilla offered little by way of attacking threat in the first half.

Despite a vociferous crowd creating a great atmosphere, neither side seemed keen to gamble by committing men forward and a cagey first half ended goalless.

Basel's best chance of the game fell to Bjarnason, who had the whole goal to aim at when Steffen's shot rebounded to him off the post in the box, but he blazed his effort high and wide.

At the other end, N'Zonzi brought the best out of Vaclik when he hit a fierce shot from close range which the Czech goalkeeper spread to save.

In the closing stages, Matias Delgado found space to hit a well-struck shot towards goal from 20 yards, but it flew over before N'Zonzi was given his marching orders for picking up a second booking on the night.