Basel produced another Champions League shock as they ventured into uncharted territory in the competition on Wednesday, clinching a dramatic 1-0 victory over Bayern Munich to pile the misery on Germany's biggest club.
The humble Swiss team, who qualified for the last 16 at the expense of Manchester United after a momentous victory against the English side, had St Jakob-Park rocking again as substitute Valentin Stocker scored an 86th-minute winner.
Basel, who often play in front of only a few thousand fans in the Swiss league, hit the woodwork twice, then survived long periods of Bayern pressure before snatching victory. While Basel's players milked the crowd's acclaim, Bayern trooped off thinking the unthinkable.
Their Allianz Arena hosts the final this year but after failing to score an away goal they are in serious danger of their dream being dashed in the last 16. The Bavarians, who have slipped to third in the Bundesliga after a dip in form, missed the injured Bastian Schweinsteiger, described by coach Jupp Heynckes before the game as the brains of the team and in the same class as Barcelona's Xavi and Andres Iniesta.
Arjen Robben was restored to the starting line-up at the expense of Thomas Mueller, a surprise move by Heynckes which failed to have the desired effect.
Franck Ribery had a shot blocked by goalkeeper Yann Sommer in the third minute and was denied shortly afterwards when he was sent clear but Sommer pushed his effort into the side-netting as Bayern made a promising start. Bayern had two let-offs in quick succession, firstly when Aleksandar Dragovic's header was pushed away by Neuer, hit the inside of the post and bounced out.
The woodwork saved Bayern three minutes later when Alexander Frei, Switzerland's record international goalscorer, crashed a shot against the crossbar from 12 metres after a Park Joo Ho's slide rule pass found him free in the middle.
Bayern looked more likely winners but were stunned four minutes from time. Jacques Zoua, another Basel substitute, made a powerful run across the edge of the area and slipped the ball to the unmarked Stocker, who fired between Manuel Neuer's legs to send the St Jakob-Park crowd wild.
Milan lose
Inter Milan paid the price for their negative tactics as the 2010 European champions were stunned by an Andre Ayew stoppage-time goal to lose 0-1 at Olympique Marseille on Wednesday.
Ayew broke the deadlock with a glancing header from Mathieu Valbuena's corner in the third minute of time added on leaving the Inter players shaking their heads in disbelief as the French side stretched their unbeaten run in all competitions to 16 games.
Inter's best chance of the match came in the 11th minute when Steve Mandanda tipped a Diego Forlan half-volley over the bar.
Just when it looked as though Inter were going to keep a rare clean sheet, Ayew, who recently returned from the African Nations Cup where he helped Ghana reach the semifinals, headed home with the last move of the game.
City win
Holders Porto crashed out of the Europa League after a 0-4 thumping at Manchester City completed a 6-1 aggregate win for the English Premier League leaders.
Trailing 1-2 from the home leg, the Portuguese side's hopes of reaching the last 16 were dealt a crushing blow after 19 seconds at a sodden Etihad Stadium when Sergio Aguero fired City into the lead.
On the night that coach Roberto Mancini said outcast striker Carlos Tevez could return in two or three weeks after apologising for his recent poor behaviour, Aguero produced a dazzling display that proved City have ample firepower even without his fellow Argentine.
He created a second for substitute Edin Dzeko after 76 minutes as City finished off Porto with a flourish. Late goals by David Silva and recent signing David Pizarro flattered Mancini's side.
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