Maccabi Tel Aviv have held Basel to a goalless draw in the first leg of their Europa League knockout tie.

Maharan Radi and Barak Itzhaki both had efforts blocked for the home side during a frantic opening few minutes when they might have taken the lead.

It was Basel who had the better of the chances in a very even game after that, with Gaston Sauro coming closest in the first half, heading straight at the goalkeeper from a corner.

Both sides were reduced to long-range efforts which didn't really trouble the goalkeepers during the second half, but the hosts will be the happier of the sides after Basel missed a great chance to snatch a victory in the last minute.

Valentin Stocker found space in the box but his powerful effort was well saved by the goalkeeper to keep the scores level.