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-man Sevilla 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 could have been a crucial away goal, in what was a very even affair.
Basel 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 took the game to Basel for most of the second half, found themselves hanging on towards the end after N'Zonzi was sent off for picking up two yellow cards.
More to follow.
- Goal