Following victories against FK Crvena Zvezda and Getafe CF, FC Lugano are back in action in the UEFA Conference League. On Thursday 5 November at 9.00 pm, the bianconeri will host FK Kauno Žalgiris at the Lugano Arena, in the third matchday of the League Phase. With six points secured and sitting second in the table, Mattia Croci-Torti’s side face the Lithuanian champions, who are still on zero points. At the pre-match press conference, the bianconeri manager highlighted the pitfalls of a fixture that will require, above all, patience and composure.
A MATCH TO MANAGE WITH PATIENCE
Despite the difference in performance over the first two European matchdays, Croci-Torti is not underestimating the challenge: “It will be a very difficult match, against a team that plays in a completely different style to our first two opponents. They defend deep, close down all the spaces and prefer to wait before launching their attacks. We’ll need to be patient and keep a clear head.”
The manager also highlighted the Lithuanians’ threat from set-pieces, aided by the team’s physical build. But it will be the mental aspect, above all, that makes the difference: “We’re favourites, but it won’t be a walk in the park. When you face teams that defend so deep, you have to be good at making as few mistakes as possible. If you can’t break the deadlock straight away, you have to know how to manage the situation without conceding chances on the counter-attack.”
A HISTORIC TITLE IN LITHUANIA
Founded in 2004, Kauno Žalgiris is currently enjoying the most significant period in its history. Last Saturday, thanks to a 4–1 victory over Hegelmann, the side managed by Croatian coach Željko Sopić secured their second national league title in their history, following their first historic title won last season. It has been a perfect season, thanks also to victories in the national Cup and Super Cup.
On the international stage, the club reached the League Phase of a UEFA competition for the first time, following a campaign that began in the Champions League qualifiers. Among the most significant results was a 1–0 home victory against Beşiktaş in the Europa League play-offs, though this was not enough to overturn the 3–0 deficit from the first leg. In this UEFA Conference League group stage, however, they suffered two defeats, against Brighton (4–0) and Brann (4–1).
It is precisely these previous results that have caught Croci-Torti’s attention: “They beat Beşiktaş and were still 0–0 against Brighton after more than forty minutes. Anyone who’s watched their matches knows how difficult it is to find space against a team that defends like that.’ Furthermore, their recent domestic title could allow the Lithuanians to tackle their European fixtures without the pressures associated with the league.
ROTATION AND CONFIDENCE IN THE SQUAD
As for Juventus, the packed schedule of recent weeks calls for careful management of the players’ energy levels. Croci-Torti highlighted the strain of eight matches played over three weeks, with particular reference to the mental demands of the European fixtures against Red Star and Getafe. For this reason, Thursday’s line-up could feature some players who have seen less action recently: “There will probably be two or three players who have played less in recent weeks. I have confidence in the squad and I’m convinced that, even with some rotation, we’ll be able to field a highly competitive team.”
Hannes Delcroix will be unavailable, as he is recovering from an injury to his right flexor muscle – the recovery time for which will depend on his clinical progress – as will Dereck Moncada, who has been sidelined as a precaution following a bruise to his left side sustained against Basel. Renato Steffen, on the other hand, is expected to make a full return to training with the squad later this week.
Alongside the manager, Lukas Mai also spoke, highlighting the team’s progress and the relationship of trust built with Croci-Torti: “Our relationship has always been open and straightforward. I feel the coach’s trust and I try to repay it through my performances.” The German defender also reiterated the squad’s determination to maintain the standard they have achieved in recent months, regardless of the competition.
After two wins in the first two matchdays, Lugano are now preparing for a very different challenge, in which the ability to manage the pace of the game and find solutions against a compact defence will be key to maintaining their momentum in European competition.
WATCH MATTIA CROCI-TORTI’S PRESS CONFERENCE:
