The second leg of FC Lugano on Tour took place this morning in Losone: at the Saleggi sports ground, Mattia Croci-Torti’s side drew 1–1 against FC Rapperswil-Jona, managed by former Bianconero Selcuk Sasivari.
For their second pre-season friendly of the season, at the end of the third week of pre-season training, FC Lugano took to the pitch with von Ballmoos in goal, protected by Zanotti, Papadopoulos, Mai and Alioski in defence; in midfield, Moncada – a new signing from Internacional de Bogotá, making his debut in the bianconeri shirt – alongside Grgic, Kendouci and Cimignani; up front, captain Steffen and Behrens started.
THE MATCH
FC Lugano got off to a strong start, sending a warning to Sasivari’s side as early as the 4th minute: Steffen’s diagonal shot, following a pass from deep, was saved by goalkeeper Emch.
Five minutes in, it was Steffen’s turn to play the role of provider, cleverly picking out Moncada’s run: the young Honduran’s left-footed shot was parried by the goalkeeper.
Captain Steffen tried again in the 13th minute, setting up Behrens for a goal: the number 91 followed the bianconeri captain’s through ball well and, racing towards goal, beat Emch. But the referee’s whistle sounded, ruling out the goal for offside against the German striker.
FC Lugano begin to step up a gear. Cimignani also tries his luck with a fine first-time left-footed shot from the edge of the box, and Moncada follows suit, capping off a fine move involving Steffen and Alioski: on both occasions, Emch is ready and waiting.
In the 26th minute, FC Lugano’s best chance: a cross comes in from the left, Steffen meets the ball and shoots first-time across goal, but Emch manages to tip it away with a remarkable leap.
THE GOALS CAME IN THE SECOND HALF
In the second half, fresh energy took to the pitch under the Losone sun: Gephardt in goal; in defence, Kelvin, Bichsel and Carbone joined Zanotti; Ajdin and Koutsias came on to replace Grgic and Behrens.
Amidst the flurry of substitutions that characterised the second half, Beckham Castro, a Colombian full-back arriving from Millonarios FC, also made his debut for the bianconeri.
In the 61st minute, however, FC Rapperswil-Jona scored from their first real chance: Emini drove forward with the ball at his feet and spotted Muzzi making a run; Muzzi cut inside and beat the newly introduced Gephardt.
Sasivari’s men’s lead was short-lived. In the 71st minute, Zurmühle, born in 2009, pressed high up the pitch against the opposition defence, who mishandled possession; Koutsias pounced on the loose ball and, with his right foot, levelled the score.
Towards the end, partly due to the heat, the pace slowed and neither side created any noteworthy chances. That was until the very last minute when, following a scramble from a corner in the FC Lugano penalty area, Camdzic struck a precise first-time volley: Gephardt was cat-like as he stretched to parry the ball, which went out of play. The final whistle blew: the match ended 1–1.
At the end of the match, the girls, boys and bianconeri supporters – after cooling off at the Food & Beverage stand and having a browse at the merchandise area – were able to meet the bianconeri players at the now-traditional Meet & Greet, snapping plenty of selfies and collecting autographs from the whole team.
A wonderful moment of togetherness and sharing that demonstrates, once again, FC Lugano’s connection with the local community and its supporters.
UPCOMING MATCHES
Mattia Croci-Torti’s team has a packed schedule during this pre-season phase.
On Sunday 5 July, the team will set off for their training camp in Germany, in Weiler-Simmerberg, a town in the Allgäu region just across the Swiss border, where they will remain until Saturday 11 July.
The bianconeri will be busy with training sessions and two friendly matches: on Tuesday 7 July at 6.00 pm, against FC Memmingen 1907, an Oberliga side (the fifth tier of German football); and on Friday 10 July, again at 6.00 pm, against FC Heidenheim 1846, a 2. Bundesliga, at the Stadion Öschweg Leutkirch in Leutkirch im Allgäu.
Once back home, the final leg of FC Lugano on Tour is scheduled for Friday 17 July against FC Vaduz at the Balerna Municipal Stadium, with kick-off at 8.30 pm.
The match against the newly promoted Brack Super League side will be the final friendly before their official competitive debut: on Thursday 23 July at 8.30 pm, the team will take to the pitch at the AIL Arena for the UEFA Conference League Q2 tie against KF Dukagjini (Kosovo).
The league campaign then gets underway, again at the AIL Arena, on Sunday 26 July at 4.30 pm against FC Vaduz.