Two competitive matches, two wins. Following their European victory over KF Dukagjini, FC Lugano beat FC Vaduz 2–1 to kick off the 2026/27 Brack Super League with three points. At the end of the first league match at the AIL Arena, Mattia Croci-Torti highlighted above all the attitude shown by the team, whilst not shying away from the areas that still need work.
DETERMINATION AND THE WILL TO WIN
The bianconeri manager began by discussing the result and the different start compared to last season: “Last year we lost a poor match against Thun and failed to beat Cluj. This year we’ve started with two wins, which aren’t down to chance but to great determination.”
This satisfaction is accompanied by the realisation that there is still room for improvement, particularly in the ability to see games through to the end. “What was missing was efficiency. When you hit the crossbar three times, there’s something to improve on. At 2–0, we need to score that third goal, because if you concede one, the momentum changes in an instant. We need to be better at seeing the game through.”
The overall assessment remains positive, however: “I liked the attitude, as well as the desire to win. We can certainly do better and there are aspects to improve, but the positives far outweigh the negatives. I’m taking home this desire to win, which was certainly there.”
PROGRESS AT THE AIL ARENA
Compared with Thursday’s match against Dukagjini, Croci-Torti sees a team that is more relaxed and more at ease on the pitch at the AIL Arena. It is a process of adaptation which, according to the manager, still requires time: “We still need to get used to this pitch, which is completely different. We train on different pitches and surfaces, and none of them are like this one. We must make the most of the opportunity to train here to find the right dynamics.”
This improvement is also evident in set-pieces, which proved decisive against Vaduz with goals from Papadopoulos and Mai. “On Thursday, the quality of our corner kicks wasn’t up to scratch. We spent two days working on them and getting used to them, and today we could already see the difference. The defensive blocks were well organised and intelligent: my staff are always analysing the opposition and the dynamics we need to create.”
CONFIDENCE IN THE SQUAD
Croci-Torti then touched on his starting line-up and rotations compared to the European fixture. Bichsel, Kendouci and Pihlström started the match, a decision with which the manager aims to involve the entire squad at a stage of the season already packed with fixtures.
His assessment of Bichsel is very positive: “He’s a player with an extremely high level of focus and concentration, and he wins his one-on-one duels. I’m very pleased; for me, it’s no surprise.”
Words of confidence for Pihlström too: “He’s a lad who needs confidence. The opening minutes weren’t easy, but as the match went on I saw the player I know, and I’m very pleased.” On Kendouci, he adds: “I’m convinced of his qualities. He’s now more confident going into challenges following his serious injury and can bring something to this Lugano side.”
Underlying the squad rotations, therefore, is a message to the whole squad: “I could have stuck with Thursday’s team, but I wanted to make changes to show that I have faith in everyone. When you have so many matches, the manager must be the first to demonstrate that everyone is important.”
BACK TO EUROPE
AGAIN The 2–1 win over Vaduz means the bianconeri have started the league campaign with a victory, but the fixture list means they must already look ahead. Croci-Torti reiterates that the team is not yet at the desired level, whilst praising their pragmatism, focus and determination: “We’re not perfect yet and we’ve got a lot of work to do, but we’re pragmatic. That’s what I needed.”
Now the focus returns to the UEFA Conference League: on Wednesday, FC Lugano will be back in action in Kosovo to face KF Dukagjini in the second leg of the second qualifying round.
LISTEN TO CROCI-TORTI’S PRESS CONFERENCE BELOW: