FC Lugano returns to Letzigrund with the aim of continuing its positive run, in a match that promises to be intense and hard-fought against an aggressive and physical Grasshopper CZ. In a difficult context and on a traditionally tough pitch, the Bianconeri immediately try to take the initiative, attempting to impose rhythm and quality on their game.
The start is favourable for Mattia Croci-Torti's team, who create the first big chance of the game in the 7th minute: Steffen crosses from the right and Behrens shoots first time, but Hammel makes a decisive save to tip the ball onto the crossbar. From the resulting corner, Delcroix threatened with a header, but the Zurich goalkeeper made a second save. Delcroix was then forced to concede defeat shortly afterwards due to a muscle problem, forcing Mattia Croci-Torti and his staff to review their defensive set-up. As the minutes passed, the game became more static: GCZ increased the intensity in the duels and closed down the spaces well, while Lugano struggled to find openings despite maintaining control and conceding very little. On the half-hour mark, Grgić tried to break the deadlock with a free kick, directing the ball towards the top corner, but Hammel was again on hand to save. Grasshopper came forward in the 35th minute with a header from Asp Jensen, which went over the bar, before the same striker tested Saipi at the end of the first half with a shot at the near post, which was deflected for a corner.
Overall, the first half was slow-paced and marked by several technical errors and a balance that was also reflected in the score at half-time.
FIRST STEFFEN, THEN KRASNIQI
After the break, however, Lugano changed gear and came back onto the pitch with a completely different rhythm. Behrens found the net early on, but the goal was disallowed for offside, while shortly afterwards Steffen came close to taking the lead with a backheel from Mahou's assist, which ended up in the side netting. The Bianconeri's pressure grew and in the 61st minute, Behrens was dangerous again with a header from Zanotti's cross. The move that led to the deserved lead came shortly afterwards: first Belhadj and then Behrens forced Hammel into two prodigious saves; then Mahou recovered the ball on the left and crossed for Steffen, who scored from a few yards out to make it 0-1 in the 62nd minute. With half an hour to go, Lugano were in the lead and seemed to have the game under control. The Bianconeri came close to doubling their lead on several occasions, but Grasshopper clung on and tried to fight back. In the 72nd minute, a long-range shot from Meyer went just wide, but it was a sign that Gerald Scheiblehner's team was growing in confidence. The decisive response from the home side came in the 84th minute when Krasniqi found space on the wing, accelerated into the box and unleashed a powerful and precise right-footed shot that gave Saipi no chance, bringing the score back to 1-1. In the final minutes, after conceding the equaliser, Lugano lost their spark and were unable to create any more chances to take the lead, allowing the game to peter out without further incident.
The 1-1 draw thus ended a match in which the Bianconeri had shown their best form, especially in the second half, before being caught up in the final minutes. The result interrupts a streak of five consecutive victories and leaves some regret for what was shown in the second half.
Now the focus shifts to the next match: on Saturday 7 February at 6 p.m., Lugano will return to Zurich to face FC Winterthur, with the aim of getting back on track immediately.
MATCH REPORT
GRASSHOPPER CLUB ZURICH – FC LUGANO 1-1
Brack Super League – Matchday 22
31 January 2026 – Letzigrund Stadion, Zurich
Spectators: 3228
Goalscorers: 62' Steffen, 84' Krasniqi.
GRASSHOPPER CLUB ZURICH (3-4-3): Hammel; Abels, Diaby, Stroscio; Diarrassouba (60' Ullmann), Zovarek (64' Meyer), Hassane, Krasniqi; Plange (60' Tsimba), Frey (83' Clemente), Jensen.
Substitutes: Glaus, Decarli, Mikulić, Abrashi, Marques.
Coach: Gerald Scheiblehner.
FC LUGANO (3-4-2-1): Saipi; Zanotti, Kelvin, Delcroix (10' Belhadj); Cimignani, Grgić, Bislimi, Mahou (67' Brault-Guillard) ; Steffen (84' Koutsias), Dos Santos (84' Bottani); Behrens
Substitutes: Von Ballmoos, Kendouci, Pihlström, Puddu, Radić.
Coach: Mattia Croci-Torti.
Referee: Nico Gianforte
Assistants: Jonas Erni and Nicolas Tuberosa
Fourth official: Déborah Avex
VAR and AVAR: Hüseyin Sanli and Johannes von Mandach
Yellow cards: Diaby (GCZ), Behrens (LUG), Belhadj (LUG), Zanotti (LUG), Asp Jensen (GCZ).
Sent off: Belhadj (LUG).