FC Lugano beat NSÍ Runavík 2–0 in the first leg of the third qualifying round of the UEFA Conference League. Goals from Elias Pihlström and Kevin Behrens secured the bianconeri their fifth win in their first five matches of the season and a two-goal lead ahead of the return leg in the Faroe Islands.
After the match, Mattia Croci-Torti highlighted the team’s focus, whilst acknowledging that the scoreline could have been even more decisive given the chances created.
THE PERFORMANCE
FC Lugano took control of the match straight away, breaking the deadlock after seven minutes, and maintained possession for long periods against opponents who were bunched up in their own half. Croci-Torti began by highlighting the consistency with which the team sought to double their lead: “I would have liked to have built up a bigger lead. The team tried to score more goals, created chances and had shots on goal, although we could have been more dangerous. The determination, concentration and desire to win, however, were all there.”
The main regret concerns accuracy in the final third: “We faced a side that never gave us any space in depth and defended very deep, inside their own box. We should have looked for a few more shots, even from distance, and been more precise.”
THE MARGIN AHEAD OF THE RETURN
LEG After Dereck Moncada hit the post and Hannes Delcroix’s header was cleared off the line, the bianconeri made it 2–0 in the 80th minute through Behrens. A goal that rewarded the pressure applied in the closing stages, although Croci-Torti would have liked to have made the two-legged tie even more secure: “The only thing missing was the third goal, which would have given us an even bigger cushion.”
The result means FC Lugano go into the return leg with a two-goal lead, but qualification for the play-offs will be decided in a week’s time in the Faroe Islands.
The fixture list now gives the bianconeri less than three days to recover and prepare for their next match. On Sunday 9 August, at 2.00 pm, FC Zurich will visit the AIL Arena for the third matchday of the Brack Super League.