On Saturday 25 April at 8.30 pm, FC Lugano will travel to face FC Thun on the opening day of the Brack Super League Championship Group. The decisive phase of the championship thus kicks off at the Stockhorn Arena, with five matches in which the bianconeri will aim to defend their third-place position and continue their push for a European spot.
The match promises to be particularly significant. Thun, the current league leaders, would secure their first-ever title with a win, in what is already a legendary season for a newly promoted side. On the other hand, however, Lugano go into the fixture with clear objectives and the determination to keep aiming high, having finished the Regular Season in third place.
The match was previewed at a press conference by manager Mattia Croci-Torti and midfielder Uran Bislimi. The bianconero manager immediately focused on the performance he expects from his team on the pitch, without dwelling on possible scenarios regarding the league table: “We’re going there to do our job, which means trying to win this match and nothing else. We mustn’t concern ourselves with anything else.”
This will also depend on our ability to match the intensity of an opponent who, particularly in front of their home crowd, has built much of their success on that very strength. Croci-Torti has, in fact, highlighted the strengths of the Bernese side: “We know that tomorrow we’re up against a team that has made intensity and physical strength their weapon. It’s a side that, especially at home, tries to stifle the opposition and apply as much pressure as possible right up to the final second.”
The atmosphere will inevitably be special. Thun will play buoyed by the enthusiasm of an entire city ready to celebrate a historic achievement, but Lugano must turn that atmosphere into further motivation. “I expect Lustrinelli’s men to take to the pitch without fear and to give their all to win a historic title in front of their home crowd,” explained Croci-Torti. “We must do our job, maintain our professionalism and go to Thun to play the match, respecting their great motivation and enthusiasm.”
Uran Bislimi echoed this sentiment, acknowledging the quality of Thun’s campaign whilst making no secret of the Bianconeri’s determination. “We have to be honest and give Thun credit. Coming up from the Challenge League and winning the league is a huge achievement,” said the midfielder. “But we know what we’re capable of and we know how to beat them. I don’t want to be there after the match watching the fans storm the pitch to celebrate: we want to stop that from happening and we need the three points to keep our European hopes alive.”
This season’s previous encounters confirm the balance of the fixture. Following Thun’s victory on the opening day of the league on 27 July, Lugano managed to prevail in the two subsequent matches, both times by a 1-0 scoreline. Now, however, the stage has changed: the Championship Group begins, the stakes are higher and every detail could prove decisive in the final sprint.
The bianconeri are therefore facing a highly intense evening, one to be tackled with character and composure to maintain their momentum and keep their European hopes alive, on the pitch of an opponent driven by the desire to achieve a historic milestone.
MARQUES TO UNDERGO MENISCUS SURGERY
Martim Marques will be the only player unavailable for the match against FC Thun. Due to a meniscus problem in his left knee, the Portuguese defender will undergo arthroscopic surgery. His recovery time will be assessed based on the outcome of the operation.