Boateng: Basel spurred us on
George Boateng has revealed Basel's cockiness helped spur Middlesbrough to victory.
George Boateng has revealed Basel's cockiness helped spur Middlesbrough to victory in the Uefa Cup in their quarter final tie.The Dutch midfielder says Basel's celebrations after their 2-0 win in the first leg in Switzerland annoyed Boro and that inspired them to their miraculous 4-1 success at The Riverside.
"We were up for it," he said.
"There were key moments that happened before.
"When we played in Basle, after the game, they were really celebrating, they were already cheering and waving to the crowd as if the game was over.
"Those things, as a player, you remember.
"In the warm-up, one of our balls went into their half and we wanted one of their players to give us it, but he kicked it halfway between him and us and we had to walk to get it.
"Franck Queudrue and myself looked at him and thought `you are going to get a proper pasting'.
"It really motivates you to go that extra yard."
