After the 1-1 draw at St. Jakob-Park against FC Basel, Bianconeri coach Mattia Croci-Torti analysed the team's performance, highlighting the positives, key moments and injury concerns.
A draw in Basel is not always a bad result, said the coach, but he pointed out that the team failed to find the right rhythm early on. In the first half, we wanted to control the game, but we were too slow. We didn't suffer much, but we gave away a penalty. In the second half, I changed something: less control of the game, but more dangerous when we recovered the ball.
For Croci-Torti, the overall performance remains positive: We came here with more possession and more shots on goal than them. We weren't very dangerous, that's true, but I saw a Lugano side with character and the desire to win until the last second. I can't be too negative: we're taking this point home with us. There are those who always win, but there are also those, like us, who never lose. Now we have to turn these draws into wins.
Despite the two penalties awarded to Basel, Croci-Torti appreciated the team's reaction: The second penalty could have been a moment that destroyed us, but Amir was brilliant once again and the team reacted, fighting back to equalise. When you come to Basel and try to win until the last second, you also have regrets, but you have to take home the character and many positive things.
Among the negative notes of the evening was Behrens' muscle injury in the first half: Unfortunately, we've had a lot of injuries lately. Today, we lost our reference point early on and had to change the way we played with the introduction of Koutsias, who has different characteristics.
In closing, however, there was also an encouraging sign: Getting some players back gives us more options. Having Carbone back today, who returned at the last minute, allowed us to play with four players again and be more vertical. I'm also taking home these positive aspects.
Overall, the draw at St. Jakob-Park confirms the solidity of the Bianconeri, who are capable of reacting to difficulties and extending their streak of consecutive positive results. It is a point that keeps FC Lugano at the top of the table but, as Croci-Torti pointed out, it will now have to be converted into victories to give new impetus to the team's league campaign.