The Swiss side went into the match full of confidence after their 8-1 aggregate victory over Sarajevo in the previous round.

And they almost took the lead in the seventh minute when Felipe Caicedo won a free-kick 20 yards out.

But Ivan Ergic's fierce effort was tipped round post by keeper Patrice Luzi Bernardi, and Carlos Alberto Carlitos' quick corner was easily cleared by Etienne Didot.

Basle had the better of the opening chances but never really created anything and any opportunity was quickly snuffed out by the Rennes defence.

Rennes had to wait until the 17th minute for their first real attack of the match, but Bruno Cheyrou's cross was easily caught by Franco Costanzo.

But the Red and Blacks began to get into the game.

Costanzo had to move quickly to save Sylvain Marveaux's 12-yard effort on 27 minutes and would have been relieved to see Cheyrou's powerful shot sail over the bar three minutes later.

Basle should have gone into the break ahead as first Scott Chipperfield's 30-yard shot was well caught by Luzi Bernardi and minutes later Caicedo saw his effort fly inches wide of the left-hand post.

Rennes could have taken the lead three minutes into the second half, but Jimmy Briand shot straight into the arms of Costanzo.

And 10 minutes later Basle were ahead when Streller rose above the Rennes defence to head in Chipperfield's corner.

Caicedo almost doubled their lead seconds later with a 25-yard screamer that flew narrowly wide.

Mickael Pagis came closest to netting an equaliser in the 69th minute but his shot from the left side of the penalty box was well wide.

And that was the last half-decent chance for Rennes, who have only only ever won two away matches in the competition.