The 2–2 draw away at NSÍ Runavík secures a place in the UEFA Conference League play-offs, following an evening in which FC Lugano were forced to fight back after falling two goals behind. In his post-match comments, Mattia Croci-Torti highlighted the team’s response at the most critical moment, whilst acknowledging the difficulties encountered in the first half of the match.
THE RESPONSE IN A DIFFICULT
MOMENT The bianconeri manager began by discussing the team’s approach to the match and a performance which, particularly in the early stages, did not meet expectations: “We gave away a few chances, but it’s also a mental game. We weren’t as hungry as we needed to be. Then the team reacted brilliantly, like a top-class side. Trailing 2–0, we could have fallen into a real abyss, but instead we stayed focused, started playing as we should, pulled two goals back and went through to the next round. That was what we had to do.”
Croci-Torti is expecting a tricky match, so much so that he’s chosen a starting line-up that shows respect for the opposition: “I knew full well it would be a difficult match, and you can see straight away from the starting line-up the great respect we have for this opponent. We can’t always be as effective as we were on Sunday, but this team’s heart and resilience are exactly what we need.”
A GLASS THAT’S VERY MUCH FULL
Rather than dwelling on the difficulties encountered, Croci-Torti chooses instead to focus on the team’s ability to respond once the tie was back on level terms: “The glass is very much full. We knew the conditions weren’t easy and that we might make a few mistakes. We did make them, but we reacted. Sometimes you have to look at how people react in their minds and hearts: that’s a positive thing.”
NOW THE SWISS
CUP With qualification secured, attention immediately turns to the next fixture. On Sunday 16 August at the AIL Arena, the bianconeri face Vedeggio Calcio in the first round of the Swiss Cup, a match that Croci-Torti urges the team to approach with the same focus as they do their international fixtures.
“I hope the fans can enjoy the celebrations; we need to stay focused. We also have enormous respect for Vedeggio and know what it means to play the match of a lifetime. There’s a six-division gap between us; it’s only natural that we’re the favourites, but we have to prove it on the pitch, not just with words: something we perhaps failed to do at the start of today’s match.”
THE EXPERIENCE IN THE FAROE
ISLANDS He also reflected on the two days spent in the Faroe Islands, with the team arriving there much earlier than usual for away trips. Croci-Torti acknowledges that the journey may have affected the team’s nerves during the match, but he also emphasises the value of the experience the squad had: “In life, you get few opportunities like these. Over these two days, we’ve had a different kind of experience. Sometimes nature teaches you so many things; it helps you reflect and become better people: it’s certainly something to take with us.”
Qualifying for the play-offs thus brings the trip to the Faroe Islands to a close; for FC Lugano, the fixture list continues straight away with the Swiss Cup and Sunday’s match against Vedeggio Calcio.