After the home draw against Servette FC, Mattia Croci-Torti lucidly analyses a match affected by the emergency, especially in midfield. The Bianconeri coach does not look for excuses, but clearly explains the context in which the 1-1 draw at Cornaredo came about.
We tried to muddle through, it was the only option we had, he explains. We didn't have the quality that usually sets us apart, and that was clear from the start. As long as Carbone and Kendouci's energy and quality in bringing the ball out held up, the team played a decent game. Then everything became more difficult.
The coach emphasised how, in the second half, the team lacked the ability to recover balls and keep up the pace: The truth is simple: we didn't recover a single ball. We didn't win a single tackle or second ball. Servette could do whatever they wanted because we couldn't put pressure on them.
LUGANO IN CRISIS
Croci-Torti emphasises the context of the match, marked by numerous absences and players not at their best on the pitch. Lukas Mai has only just returned and couldn't kick in the final stages, Papadopoulos is injured and had to adapt to a different role. When you're stuck at the back, you run out of ideas. Today we were in a state of total emergency: one whole department was absent and another was playing with band-aids.
Despite everything, the coach wanted to emphasise the commitment of his players: I have to thank those who played out of position, such as Dos Santos and Maslarov in the final minutes. They gave everything for the team. We didn't win, but no one can take away the spirit with which they fought.
THE GOAL CONCEDED AND THE LACK OF ENERGY
Regarding Servette's equaliser, which came in the final minutes, Croci-Torti invites us to look at the overall trend of the second half: Unfortunately, you can't leave your opponents in your half for thirty minutes. The longer they stay there, the more likely you are to concede a goal. In the second half, there was a big difference in energy levels.
The coach also acknowledged the difficulties faced by the substitutes: When Steffen came on, the team was already in trouble. He struggled, like everyone else, but we can't blame him for everything.
CARBONE AND EMERGENCY SOLUTIONS
There was also room for Joao Carbone's debut, who was thrown into the starting line-up in a complicated situation: After the injuries to Marques, Alioski and Delcroix on the left, teams are studying us and pressing us where we are struggling. With Carbone, we tried to attack deep. It was an emergency situation and he did what he had to do.
LOOKING AHEAD TO BASEL
On Sunday at St. Jakob-Park, the suspended midfielders will be available again, but there are still question marks over the condition of the defenders: I need to see how the defenders are doing. I have no intention of feeling sorry for myself: these things happen in football.
A complicated evening, then, but also a situation to be handled with clarity. The next fixture is already upon us: in a few days, FC Lugano will return to the pitch in Basel to try to regain energy and results.