Following the international break, FC Lugano are set to return to action on Saturday 4 April at 6.00 pm at Cornaredo against FC Thun, the current leaders of the Brack Super League. For the Bianconeri, this marks their return in front of their home crowd almost a month after their last home game, on 7 March against Lucerne.
Since then, Mattia Croci-Torti’s side have faced two far from straightforward away fixtures, securing two draws against direct rivals FC St. Gallen and BSC Young Boys. These results have allowed Lugano to remain firmly in contention at the top of the table: the Bianconeri currently sit in fourth place, just one point behind FC Basel and five behind St. Gallen, with the aim of playing their cards right to the very end in the last seven matches of the season.
However, a team is coming to Cornaredo that has, so far, maintained an impressive run of form. Mauro Lustrinelli’s Thun are now well on their way to winning their first-ever Swiss league title, thanks to a campaign built on great consistency, with just six defeats against 23 wins and two draws. These figures clearly illustrate the quality of the Bernese side, who are coming off the back of a defeat – suffered in the last round against FC Zürich – but have been the protagonists of a top-class season so far.
At the same time, FC Lugano knows it can cause problems even for the league leaders. The Bianconeri are, in fact, one of the few teams capable of winning at the Stockhorn Arena this season, alongside Basel and St. Gallen.
CROCI-TORTI: ‘THUN DESERVE TO BE TOP OF THE TABLE, BUT WE ARE A STRONG TEAM’ At the pre-match press
conference, Mattia Croci-Torti began by highlighting that Lugano are going into this match following two tough away fixtures, though with encouraging signs nonetheless: ‘We’re coming off two difficult matches, against St. Gallen and Bern, in which we managed to stage comebacks and secure positive results on pitches where we always struggle.” An aspect which, according to the Bianconeri coach, has also played a significant role in the final stretch: “We managed to keep the teams ahead of us from pulling away, which was the important thing for us, so that we could go into the final seven matches with everything still to play for.” Hence the tone with which the squad approached the break and prepared for the match against Thun: “The two words I’ve used most in recent weeks have been ‘believe’ and ‘focus on the goal’.” A clear reminder, accompanied by another concept strongly reiterated: “We really cannot afford to be caught unprepared.”
Croci-Torti also highlighted the special significance of the final matches at the historic Bianconeri home ground: “I’m well aware that these are the last four matches at Cornaredo. We must show respect and pride for the shirt we wear and for the stadium and the city that host us.”
Speaking then of the opposition, the manager openly acknowledged Thun’s quality and the merits of their league campaign: “Thun deserve the position they occupy” and again, “we simply haven’t been at their level. The significant points gap proves it.” At the same time, however, he reiterated his confidence in his players and in their approach to the match at Cornaredo: “Tomorrow we’ll face them without any fear whatsoever; there’s only great respect. We’ll play to win the match. Their top spot is well deserved, but I’m absolutely certain we’re a stronger team than them and tomorrow we’ll try to prove it.”
PAPADOPOULOS: “IT’S ALL OR NOTHING NOW”
Standing alongside the manager was Antonios Papadopoulos, who clearly reiterated the team’s mindset as the season draws to a close. The Bianconeri defender expressed his belief that Lugano has the chance to determine its own fate: “It’s in our hands. The coaching staff prepare us very well. We train to the max, so it will be up to us whether we qualify for Europe or not. Clearly, the aim must be to win every game.”
The centre-back then broadened the discussion to the value that achieving the European objective would hold for everyone, without, however, losing focus on the present: “Clearly, it helps everyone whether we play in Europe or not: it helps me, it helps the manager, it helps the players who perhaps play a bit less. Everyone wants to play in Europe, that’s clear.” At the same time, however, he stressed that this must not turn into thinking too far ahead: “I don’t think we should already be looking at what next season will bring. It’s vital to focus on the here and now; that’s the most important thing.”
BEHRENS ON THE ROAD TO RECOVERY, VON BALLMOOS SIDE-LINED
Follow-up scans carried out on Kevin Behrens earlier this week have confirmed a marked improvement, and the striker will rejoin the squad next week. During Thursday’s training session, however, David von Ballmoos suffered a recurrence of pain in his right adductor; his fitness will be assessed and managed over the coming days.
