Basel's passage to the Europa League quarterfinals was much smoother than its flights to and from last-16 opponent Zenit St. Petersburg.
The Swiss team completed an unwanted double Friday when its charter flight made an emergency landing for the second time in 48 hours.
The Basler Zeitung daily says the Hamburg Airways plane's landing gear wouldn't retract after taking off from St. Petersburg, forcing the plane to circle for two hours before being able to return to the airport.
On Wednesday, the flight from Basel to Russia made an emergency stop in Berlin so unwell Egyptian forward Mohamed Elneny would receive medical treatment.
Basel says the delayed return from Russia has forced the cancellation of news conferences at home ahead of a Swiss League match on Sunday against FC Thun.
