A victory built on conviction, focus and a spirit of sacrifice. Mattia Croci-Torti analyses the win against the league leaders, starting with the journey that led Lugano to this performance: “We were coming off the back of two draws on difficult pitches, but we saw them as the results of a team that never gives up. We returned from the break feeling positive and knew that today, playing at home again, it was absolutely vital to win”.
This set the tone for a match which, according to the Bianconeri coach, can be explained first and foremost by the attitude: “From the very first minute, I saw self-sacrifice, concentration and attention to detail. For me, the match boils down to one defensive recovery, Bislimi’s at the end of the first half: that’s when you realise the team isn’t giving up and wants to take the win home.” A concept that also ties in with the solidity shown against the league’s best attack: “We’ve kept two clean sheets against Thun, and that makes me very happy. This team wants to defend.”
Amir Saipi’s performance, decisive in the closing stages, also fits into this picture: “He stepped up, but not just today. He’s stepped up every day in training, with his attitude and professionalism.” Croci-Torti emphasises the human aspect above all: “When you behave like that, when your moment comes, you’re unlikely to get it wrong. He deserves praise first as a person and then as a player.”
Looking at the season more broadly, the Bianconeri coach doesn’t mince his words, whilst acknowledging his opponents’ merits: “We’ve only suffered one more defeat than Thun this season, but they’ve done something different throughout the campaign. The difference lies in the details: we’ve drawn a lot of games, they’ve turned them into wins.” Yet his confidence in his own team remains: “I’m sure my team is stronger, but credit to them. Now let’s hope we can beat them three times out of four.”
This approach to managing the match was also evident in the substitutions, which came later than usual: “We had a good defensive balance and I didn’t want to disrupt it. Belhadj had just returned from a long trip with the national team, whilst Dos Santos managed his fitness much better today than in the past.” The number 27 was once again decisive, but for the manager, his development is far from complete: “For me, he’s at 70% of his potential. He’s improved massively, especially in his off-the-ball work and in managing key moments.” And then the description that sums up his importance to the team: “He’s the only player we have capable of turning the game on its head with his bursts of pace. The statistics prove it.”
Finally, a look at how the match was managed in the closing stages, when Lugano chose to protect their lead without leaving themselves exposed: “When you’re winning 1-0 against the league leaders, you mustn’t leave yourself exposed. You can even let them have the ball; the important thing is that they aren’t dangerous.” A pragmatic choice, which confirms the team’s maturity and allows the Bianconeri to take home three crucial points, the result of balance, sacrifice and the ability to read the moments of the match.