FC Lugano On Tour’s 2026 tour comes to an end in Balerna. In their final pre-season friendly, six days ahead of their official debut in Q2 of the UEFA Conference League against KF Dukagjini, the bianconeri were beaten 2–1 by FC Vaduz.
In front of several hundred spectators at the Campo Comunale in Balerna, Lugano faced the side managed by Marc Schneider, who will also be their next opponents on the opening day of the 2026/27 Brack Super League, scheduled for Sunday 26 July at the AIL Arena.
Mattia Croci-Torti selected von Ballmoos in goal, with Zanotti, Mai, Papadopoulos and Alioski in defence. In midfield, Cimignani, Grgic, Bislimi and Dos Santos started, whilst up front Steffen played in support of Behrens.
A BALANCED FIRST HALF
The first half ended 0–0. It was an evenly matched affair, with Lugano enjoying more possession and creating more chances, but Vaduz were well organised and capable of posing a threat of their own.
The bianconeri’s best chance came midway through the half: Cimignani played the ball to Dos Santos in the centre of the box; the number 27 controlled it and shot from an excellent position, only to be denied by Schaffran’s save.
THREE GOALS IN THE FINAL STAGES
The match came to life in the last fifteen minutes. In the 76th minute, Lugano took the lead: Steffen played a through ball to Behrens, who kept his cool in front of the goalkeeper and made it 1–0.
Four minutes later, Vaduz equalised through Djokic, who capitalised on a ball won back in the box whilst Croci-Torti’s side were building up play, beating von Ballmoos. In the 82nd minute, the visitors took the lead: following a cross from the left and a flurry of action in the box, Dalipi’s close-range deflection beat Ndiaye, who had only just come on in goal.
Vaduz thus completed their comeback and handed the bianconeri their first pre-season defeat in their final friendly before the start of competitive fixtures.
At the end of the match, there was the usual Meet & Greet with players and fans, bringing the final leg of the FC Lugano On Tour to a close.
Attention now turns to the first official fixture of the 2026/27 season: on Thursday 23 July at 8.30 pm, Lugano will host KF Dukagjini at the AIL Arena in the first leg of the UEFA Conference League Q2.