During the international break, FC Lugano played a home friendly against Lugano U21 to maintain their rhythm and training intensity. The match took place on the afternoon of Wednesday 8 October at the Cadro sports centre and consisted of two 35-minute halves.
Mattia Croci-Torti’s side, without the international players Alioski, Belhadj and Saipi, were able to get some playing time under their belts and test out various tactical approaches. Pseftis, Brault-Guillard, Doumbia, Pihlström and Cassano played the full match, whilst Mai, El Wafi, Zanotti, Grgic, Bislimi, Dos Santos, Papadopoulos, Cimignani, Behrens, Parsemain and Koutsias were rotated.
The first half ended 3–0 thanks to a brace from Koutsias and a goal from Parsemain. Also worth noting were a shot from Koutsias that hit the crossbar and one from Cassano that struck the post.
In the second half, following Piffero’s goal for the U21s, Behrens, Doumbia and Papadopoulos sealed the final score at 6–2, with Peverelli’s goal bringing the score to 4–2 in the meantime.
Andrea Vitali’s Lugano U21s, without Shala and Puddu – who were on international duty with their respective national teams – also approached the match with intensity, displaying good build-up play and giving playing time to several young players from the academy.
It was a productive test for both bianconeri sides, helping them to maintain their rhythm and continuity in training, particularly for the first team, during a week without matches.
Work now continues for both sides ahead of their upcoming competitive fixtures: the first team will face Zurich at home on Saturday 18 October, whilst Lugano U21 will take to the pitch on Saturday 11 October against BSC Young Boys U21.