Basel climb clear at the top
A month ago FC Basel 1893 were top of the Swiss Football League on goal difference but an excellent October has seen them establish a four-point lead over their rivals.
Thun miss out
This period did, however, end disappointingly for Christian Gross's team as they were held to a 0-0 derby draw at FC Zürich last Sunday. It was only a minor slip, though, because second-placed FC Thun failed to take advantage, going down 2-1 at BSC Young Boys.
Focus on Grasshoppers
Meanwhile, Grasshopper-Club have been the focus of much attention under new coach Carlos Bernegger. But it has not been an auspicious start for Alain Geiger's replacement as his side lost, first to Young Boys in the league, then to AC Bellinzona in a Swiss Cup upset. Grasshoppers, in fact, led the lower-league team 2-0 until the 89th minute but conceded twice and exited the competition on penalties.
Consolation victory
There was some consolation for Grasshoppers on 31 October when they managed a 2-1 victory at FC Schaffhausen to move to seventh place in the table.
Mixed fortunes for Servette
Elsewhere, Servette FC finally climbed off the bottom and have now won four of their 13 games. That leaves FC St. Gallen in the wooden-spoon position after Sunday's 3-0 defeat at Neuchâtel Xamax FC. Servette's league form did not transfer itself to the cup, however, as they were beaten by Challenge League opponents FC Sion, who had dominated the competition in the 1990s. Basel play Thun in the tie of the next round.
Switzerland on course
It has been a successful month on the international stage, though. Switzerland managed a 1-1 in Israel in a FIFA World Cup qualifier and remain undefeated after three matches in Group 4. Basel, meanwhile, made an impressive start to their UEFA Cup group campaign, drawing 1-1 at Germany's FC Schalke 04 and play Heart of Midlothian FC in their next game on 25 November.
Source: Uefa.com
