The 1-1 draw against Maccabi Tel Aviv at the Batumi Arena secures FC Lugano a place in the League Phase of the UEFA Conference League. At the end of an evening in which the bianconeri fought back from a deficit despite being a man down, Mattia Croci-Torti emphasised above all the strength of the squad and a European campaign that has taken the club into the main phase of the competition for the third time in the last four seasons.
THE STRENGTH OF THE TEAM
It is precisely the character shown during the most difficult moments of the match that the bianconeri manager focuses on first and foremost. In the changing room, after the match, his message to his players was clear: “I simply said that for a team like Lugano to reach this stage of the Conference League for the third time in four years means they are an extraordinary group. It’s a historic achievement, something to remember.”
Croci-Torti then reflected on the request he made to his players at half-time and the response they gave in the second half: “I asked them to be a team right up until the very last second. When you play in these stadiums, against certain opponents, that’s when you have to prove you’re a real team and play together. Today was the perfect example.”
A performance that leads the manager to share the credit with everyone in the squad: “I can only thank the players, the performance staff, everyone who works with us and my coaching staff. To have managed, on this pitch and against this opponent, whilst a man down, to dig in together and achieve this result is a source of pride for me.”
MONCADA AND THE TEAM’S
CONTRIBUTION The decisive goal came from Dereck Moncada, who came on in the second half and scored the equaliser to make it 1–1. Croci-Torti highlighted his progress, whilst not separating his performance from that of the whole team: “When he was recommended to us last year, I saw a lad who was still a bit raw, but with outstanding qualities. He’s been a massive help to us: he’s humble, selfless, fits in well with the squad and, in my opinion, has a great future ahead of him.”
The praise, however, is due to all the stars of the evening: “Well done, Moncada, but today it would be an understatement to single out just one player. From von Ballmoos right down to the late substitutes, they were incredible. The strength of the squad deserves praise, and I’m truly proud.”
FOCUS ON THE LEAGUE
There’s time to celebrate this milestone, but Croci-Torti’s attention quickly turns to the next fixture. “In a few minutes’ time, I’ll already be thinking about the match against Sion. Now is the time to celebrate, and I’ll let the lads enjoy themselves a bit, but we have important objectives and we must always strike a balance.”
The manager then reflects on the team’s journey over the course of the year: “I want to praise the lads once again for what they’ve achieved throughout 2026. You can see organisation and discipline, but above all the desire to stick together. I’ll carry this strength with me, and it can help us achieve further successes.”
European qualification is now part of the bianconeri’s season, whilst attention is already turning to the league and the upcoming away fixture in Valais.