FC Lugano’s UEFA Conference League campaign continues at the AIL Arena. On Thursday 6 August, at 8.30 pm, the bianconeri will host NSÍ Runavík in the first leg of the third qualifying round. Fresh from Sunday’s comeback victory against Grasshopper CZ and having won four of their first four matches of the season, the team is preparing for another fixture in a period characterised by matches every three days.
THE OPPONENT
Founded in 1957 and based in Runavík, on the island of Eysturoy, NSÍ won the Faroe Islands league title in 2007 and three national cups, in 1986, 2002 and 2017. The yellow-and-black side are managed by the Icelander Sigurður Ragnar Eyjólfsson and go into this fixture in the midst of their domestic season: after 17 of the 27 matchdays in the Betri Deildin, they are joint top of the table with KÍ Klaksvík.
The Faroese side’s European campaign in this qualifying round is already the best in the club’s history. In the first round, they knocked out the Maltese side Ħamrun Spartans, drawing 1–1 at home and winning 2–1 away. In the next round, they managed to overturn a 2–0 home defeat against FC Koper: their 3–1 victory in Slovenia after extra time took the tie to a penalty shoot-out, which NSÍ won 4–3.
HUMILITY AND RESPECT
Ahead of the match, Mattia Croci-Torti and Uran Bislimi discussed the fixture at a press conference, focusing in particular on their opponents’ quality and resilience.
It was a run that caught Croci-Torti’s attention: “After the result of the first leg, almost all of us took Koper’s qualification for granted. Runavík, however, showed that they know their limitations very well, but are also aware of what they are capable of. They’re a strong side from set pieces, capable of defending patiently and launching counter-attacks. To win 3–1 in Koper shows great character.”
The fact that they’re labelled a semi-professional side doesn’t change the bianconeri’s approach to the two-legged tie. The manager recalled the difficulties encountered in the previous round against KF Dukagjini and the need to deny their opponents the space to exploit their key strengths: “They’re well-organised and physically imposing, and we’ll have to pay close attention to set-pieces. They’re comfortable sitting deep in defence and are dangerous on the counter-attack. They won’t be coming to Lugano for a walk in the park: they’ll try to close down the spaces and capitalise on any chances they manage to create. For our part, we’ll need to show great humility, focus and respect for our opponents.”
BISLIMI: ‘TIREDNESS IS NO EXCUSE’
Uran Bislimi is one of the players who has featured most frequently so far this season. The midfielder has ruled out the idea that the tight schedule of matches is a problem at this stage: ‘I feel fine. We’re still at the start of the season and have only played four matches. It’s normal to feel tired at this level, but it can’t become an excuse’.
Bislimi then analysed the progress the team has shown in the first few weeks: “We’re feeling better and we have the quality to win four matches in a row, as we’ve shown. However, we’re only at the start of the season and we want to pick up where we left off.”
TEAM
NEWS On the injury front, the only concern is Ezgjan Alioski, who sustained an injury to his left flexor muscle at the end of the match against Grasshopper Club Zurich. His recovery time will be assessed over the coming days.
