Following the international break, FC Lugano returned to league action with a prestigious victory. At Cornaredo, the Bianconeri beat FC Zürich 1–0, securing three crucial points that see them draw level with the Biancoblù in fifth place in the table.
Croci-Torti’s side started strongly, determined to build on their victory against Winterthur on 5 October. In the opening minutes, Lugano dictated the pace and pinned Zurich back in their own half. In the 9th minute, Grgic immediately fired up the crowd with a right-footed shot from outside the box that grazed the post, a foretaste of a first half dominated by the Bianconeri. High pressing and fluid passing allowed the hosts to control the game with authority, lacking only a touch of precision in the final third.
In the 26th minute, the deserved lead arrived: Zanotti – returning to the starting line-up after injury – immediately made his mark by winning three consecutive tackles on the right before playing a through ball to Dos Santos. The Bianconeri playmaker entered the box and, with his left foot, coolly beat Brecher to make it 1-0, sending Cornaredo into raptures.
After a first half devoid of further excitement, Zurich tried to respond in the second half. In the 50th minute, Krasniqi shot from outside the box, only for the ball to be deflected just wide of the crossbar. Lugano responded immediately two minutes later, again through Zanotti, who made another run down the right flank: he cut inside onto his left foot and fired a shot that went just wide of the post. Then, in the 56th minute, the crossbar came to von Ballmoos’s rescue following a powerful strike from Markelo, the visitors’ best chance of the evening.
As the minutes ticked by, Lugano began to look dangerous again. In the 70th minute, Alioski tried his luck from distance, failing to hit the target, whilst two minutes later Papadopoulos came close to doubling the lead with a header from Grgic’s corner that crashed against the crossbar, levelling the tally of shots hitting the woodwork.
In the closing stages, it was once again Croci-Torti’s side who looked capable of sealing the match. In the 87th minute, Bislimi broke down the right and delivered a low cross into the box for Marques, who attempted a backheel flick: the ball grazed the post and went out of play.
In stoppage time, Zurich launched a final assault, but found von Ballmoos in decisive form: the Bianconeri goalkeeper made two superb reflex saves to secure the result and guarantee Lugano three precious points.
After five minutes of added time, the final whistle confirms a deserved and convincing victory. FC Lugano have rediscovered their winning form, defensive solidity and momentum in the table. The Bianconeri are now set to face Servette in Geneva on Sunday 26 October, in their Brack Super League matchday 10 fixture.
FC LUGANO – FC ZURICH 1-0
Brack Super League – Matchday 9
18 October 2025 – Cornaredo Stadium
Attendance: 4,450
Goalscorers: 26’ Dos Santos
FC LUGANO (4-2-3-1): von Ballmoos; Zanotti (83’ Brault-Guillard), Papadopoulos, Mai, Alioski; Grgic, Blisimi; Cimignani, Dos Santos (77’ Marques), Mahou (60’ Belhadj); Behrens.
Substitutes: Saipi, Cassano, Doumbia, El Wafi, Pihlström, Duville-Parsemain.
Manager: Mattia Croci-Torti.
FC ZÜRICH (4-3-3): Brecher; Comenencia (87’ Tramoni), Segura, Kamberi, Rodić (65’ Ligue); Krasniqi (87’ Reverson), Palacio, Zuber; Phaëton (65’ Emmanuel), Keny (76’ Perea), Markelo
Substitutes: Huber, Stork, Tsawa, Bangoura.
Manager: Mitchell van der Gaag
Referee: Alessandro Dudic
Assistant referees: Pascal Hirzel and Christophe Loureiro
Fourth official: Hüseyin Sanli
VAR and AVAR: Johannes von Mandach and Hajrim Qovanaj
Bookings: Zuber (FCZ), Zanotti (LUG), Rodic (FCZ), Ligue (FCZ)