FC Lugano’s 10–1 victory over Vedeggio Calcio secures their place in the round of 32 of the Swiss Cup, but in his post-match comments, Mattia Croci-Torti emphasised above all the attitude shown by the team. The bianconeri manager highlighted the seriousness with which his players approached the match at the AIL Arena, a fixture that was also used to give playing time and boost the confidence of several members of the squad.
RESPECT AND PROFESSIONALISM
For Croci-Torti, the starting point is the importance of the competition and the respect due to the opposition. This was a message conveyed to the team in the hours following their return from the Faroe Islands: “After the away trip to the Faroe Islands, we prepared for the match as professionally as possible, to make all the players – and especially the new ones – understand the importance of this trophy. I tried to emphasise several times just how important this Cup is and how important it is for the Lugano fans to reach another final.”
The response on the pitch has pleased the manager: “My team showed great professionalism in their attitude from the first to the last second. It was meant to be a celebration and I think it ended as one, but we approached the match with the utmost seriousness. That’s why I’m pleased with my lads.”
MINUTES AND CONFIDENCE
The fixture also provides an opportunity to give more involvement to those who have had less playing time so far and to gradually bring some players back to full fitness. This is particularly important at a time when fixtures are coming thick and fast.
Croci-Torti explains: “We need to keep as many players as possible in the mix. It’s very important to show confidence in players like Moncada and Beckham Castro, to bring Marques back into the team after four months, and to give Hannes Delcroix more playing time. We’ve tried to pay close attention to the details regarding playing time to ensure that Lugano is as ready as possible.”
CASTRO ON THE UP
Among the standout performers of the evening was Beckham Castro, who scored his first three goals in a bianconeri shirt. Croci-Torti highlighted his progress, whilst noting the process required to fully adapt to the pace of European football: “I can see him improving and I’m pleased with his attitude. He hadn’t played a full 90 minutes as a starter since 26 February: that’s the big difference between Europe and South America – the intensity and the pace. At the moment, with matches every three days, it’s not easy to slot into the team’s system, but he’s shown he’s got quality.”
A CELEBRATION FOR TICINO
FOOTBALL Beyond the result, the afternoon at the AIL Arena also left a lasting impression that Croci-Torti highlighted in his post-match comments: that of the two teams united in the crowd’s embrace at the end of the match.
“If I’d been supporting Vedeggio, I’d have wanted to see the Lugano players giving one hundred per cent, because that shows respect. That respect was certainly there, and that’s why it turned into a celebration in the end. Seeing the Vedeggio players beneath the Lugano supporters’ stand moved me: it made me realise once again that sometimes sport brings people together.”
With qualification for the next round of the Swiss Cup now secured, the bianconeri’s attention immediately turns to their upcoming fixtures. Croci-Torti has no doubts about the squad’s focus: “My lads are completely focused on giving our fans something to cheer about. We live to try and qualify for Europe, and in that respect I’m not worried.”