FC Lugano’s European campaign reaches its final stage before the main phase of the UEFA Conference League. On Thursday 20 August at 8.30 pm, at the AIL Arena, the bianconeri will face Maccabi Tel Aviv in the first leg of the play-offs, following a start to the season that has seen them remain unbeaten: seven wins and one draw in their first eight competitive matches. On the eve of the match, Mattia Croci-Torti and Anto Grgic have set up a fixture that will significantly raise the level of difficulty they have faced so far.
A TOUGH
OPPONENT Maccabi Tel Aviv arrive in Lugano with a wealth of international experience behind them. Over the last 15 seasons, the Israeli side have reached the main phase of a UEFA competition ten times, including one appearance in the Champions League, and have successfully progressed through the qualifying rounds in each of the last three seasons.
The Israeli league has yet to begin, but the team coached by Scotsman Kenny Miller has already played several competitive matches across UEFA qualifiers and the League Cup, reaching the final of the latter on Sunday thanks to a 1–0 win over Maccabi Netanya. Their European campaign, meanwhile, began in the Europa League’s Q2 round, where they saw off Sheriff Tiraspol before being knocked out by CSKA Sofia.
Croci-Torti suggests these statistics and their progress should be seen as an indicator of the opponent’s calibre: “We’re talking about a team that knows how to play matches at this level. They’re a strong side, with many players who have experience in their respective national teams and international experience that is certainly superior to ours. We’re not afraid, but these figures should make us have greater respect for an opponent who knows how to play these kinds of matches.”
BOOSTING CONCENTRATION AND QUALITY
FC Lugano go into this match in excellent shape, both mentally and physically, but their manager is now calling for them to take it a step further: “So far, the team has done its job: we’re top of the league, we’ve progressed in the Swiss Cup and we’ve reached the Conference League play-offs. Now, however, we need to raise our level of concentration and our standard of play even further,” explained Croci-Torti. “We mustn’t think this match is the same as the other four we’ve played in Europe so far. This is a tougher match, against quality opponents. I’m absolutely convinced the team is well prepared and I’m very confident.”
He reiterated this point when discussing the factors that could decide such a closely contested fixture: “At this level, the quality of the team starts to make the difference. It’s the real players who start winning these matches – those capable of making a significant impact even when coming off the bench. And when I talk about quality, I don’t just mean in attack: I’m also thinking of defenders who can anticipate the play, win one-on-one duels and build from the back. The quality of every department must shine through.”
A 180-MINUTE
CHALLENGE The first leg at the AIL Arena represents only the first half of a tie that will be completed a week later. This is a point Croci-Torti has emphasised, urging the team to view the match as part of the two-legged tie: “I don’t want to hear any excuses, injury claims, alibis or talk of the transfer market. We’ll play our cards right, and I’m convinced we can do very well over the course of 180 minutes. We must remember that we’re preparing for a contest spanning 180, if not 210, minutes. It’s important that the team understands that tomorrow we’re playing the first leg of a tie that won’t be decided in a single match’.
The manager also has almost a full-strength squad back at his disposal, all in good physical condition – a factor that boosts the team’s confidence on the eve of the match: “I’m approaching this match with a clear head. The players who have taken part in pre-season training and played the matches so far have my complete confidence. We’re going into this match focused, with the right substitutes on the bench as well.”
GRGIC: ‘WE BELIEVE IN OUR ABILITIES’
Alongside Croci-Torti, Anto Grgic emphasised the significance that qualification would have for the squad, but also the need to focus exclusively on the team’s work: “It’s a major objective for us. These are the sort of matches all players are keen to play in. We know they’re a strong side, but we believe in our own qualities and we must focus on our own game.’
The midfielder also highlighted the importance of home advantage in the first leg: “We hope to have a big crowd, because it makes a huge difference for the whole club and for the team. On the pitch, we can feel when we’re playing at home and have everyone’s support: that’s important to us too.”
Having progressed through two rounds and gone eight competitive matches without defeat since the start of the season, FC Lugano now heads into the two-legged tie that will decide a place in the main phase of the UEFA Conference League. The first leg is scheduled for Thursday 20 August at 8.30 pm at the AIL Arena.
