option for a further year. He joined Basel's first team during the winter break 0f their 2004–05 season under head coach Christian Gross, who was in his sixth season with the club in that position and, under trainer Gross, Zanni played in the first team immediately. After playing in nine test games, he played his team debut in the round of 32 in the 2004–05 UEFA Cup, a home game in the St. Jakob-Park on 17 February 2005 as Basel played a goalless draw against Lille OSC. He played his domestic league debut for the club in the away game in the Espenmoos three days later, on 20 February, as Basel were defeated 3–1 by St. Gallen. Zanni scored his first goal for his new club in the home game in the St. Jakob-Park on 2 April 2005. It was the last goal of the game as Basel won 4–2 against Aarau. Basel completed all the 2004–05 Super League season's seventeen home games undefeated, winning thirteen and drawing four. They ended the season as Swiss champions with 10 points advantage over second placed Thun. Season 2005–06 As Swiss champions, Basel entered the 2005–06 Champions League third qualifying round. However, they were drawn against German Bundesliga club Werder Bremen and they lost 4-2 on aggregate. Subsequently Basel dropped into the 2005–06 UEFA Cup, where against NK Široki Brijeg in the first round, they sealed a 6–0 aggregate win to qualify for the Group stage. Here Basel were then drawn into Group E, alongside Strasbourg, Roma, Red Star Belgrade and Tromsø. Basel qualified for the knock-out stage and in the round of 32 Basel were drawn against AS Monaco, this was won 2-1 on aggregate. In the round of 16 Basel were drawn against Strasbourgh winning 4-2 on aggregate. In the quarter-finals, drawn against Middlesbrough they won the first leg 2–0, but Middlesbrough fought back to win the return match 4–1 and the tie 4–3 on aggregate. Zanni played in all 14 European games. Basel started the season well and led the championship right until the last day of the league campaign. On the final day of the league season Basel played at home against Zürich. A last-minute goal from Zürich's Iulian Filipescu meant the final score was 1-2 in favour of the away team and it gave FCZ their first national championship since 1980–81. The title for Basel was lost on