The 1-0 win against KF Dukagjini gives FC Lugano a slight advantage in the first leg of the second qualifying round of the UEFA Conference League. At the end of the first official match at the AIL Arena, Mattia Croci-Torti emphasised the significance of the result, whilst acknowledging the need to make more of the numerous chances created.
THE PERFORMANCE
The bianconeri manager began by highlighting the statistics from a match his side controlled for long periods, creating several chances but failing to seal the win: “We created a lot – perhaps an awful lot – and we got a bit too little out of it. The first match is always a bit of a special one: we struggled to pick up the pace and at times we adapted to their rhythm, but we had enough chances to score more goals.”
The win nevertheless represents an important starting point for the new season: “The important thing was to win and start with the mindset of a team that wants to impose its own style of play from start to finish. We won’t always manage it, but today we did.”
EFFICIENCY NEEDS IMPROVING
The main lesson to be learnt from the match concerns our finishing in the final third. Between disallowed goals, saves on the line and Moncada hitting the crossbar, Lugano failed to turn their dominance into a bigger lead: “What was missing was efficiency. We were caught offside on several occasions, we had chances in front of the goalkeeper and hit the crossbar. We need to do better and time our runs more precisely against a high defensive line.”
Croci-Torti nevertheless acknowledges the positive aspects shown by the team: “We mustn’t just look at what didn’t work. The attitude and approach were positive. Up front, we lacked a bit of flair, which I can accept at this stage of the season, but it’s something we need to improve on.”
BALANCE AND CONCENTRATION
Despite creating numerous chances, Dukagjini remained a threat right up until the final minutes. David von Ballmoos’s save from Pefqeli’s long-range effort proved decisive in the closing stages: “David is a great goalkeeper and was ready when called upon. In matches like these, you always have to maintain composure, because conceding a goal can do a lot of damage.”
Qualification is still up for grabs and the manager urges the team not to underestimate the return leg: “These are ties that are decided over 180 minutes. Whoever reaches Europe has earned their place, so we’ll have to be very careful. We’re starting with a slight advantage and we’ll prepare as best we can.”
Before returning to Kosovo, however, FC Lugano are set to make their Brack Super League debut on Sunday against FC Vaduz, once again at the AIL Arena. It’s another match coming up soon, in which they’ll look to build on the victory secured in their first European fixture of the season.