On Saturday 24 January, kick-off at 6.00 pm, FC Lugano return to Cornaredo for the first time in 2026. After more than a month away from home, the Bianconeri are back in front of their fans to face FC Winterthur, marking their return to home turf following the impressive restart in Lucerne.
The opening match of the new year delivered very positive signs: the 5–2 away victory at the Swissporarena allowed Mattia Croci-Torti’s side to begin 2026 in the best possible way, showing personality, attacking quality and the ability to make the difference at key moments. A solid foundation to build on, but without lowering the guard.
Winterthur, currently bottom of the table with 10 points, will be anything but resigned. As Croci-Torti underlined in the pre-match press conference, they are an opponent that demands full attention: «They are a typical Patrick Rahmen team, well organised, believing in a low defensive block and quick counter-attacks. Hunziker is a dangerous striker, and we need to be good at taking the lead as early as possible».
A familiar scenario from recent seasons, with matches often remaining finely balanced until the final minutes. For this reason, the Lugano coach stressed the importance of managing the different phases of the game better, also referring to the match in Lucerne: «I really liked our approach, but at a certain point we sat back a little, we overdid things and admired ourselves too much. Many teams react after conceding a goal, but we need to be more consistent».
On an individual level, despite defensive absences, Lugano can rely on new certainties. The arrival of Hannes Delcroix fits precisely into this context, as explained by Croci-Torti: «When we signed Hannes, we knew we were getting a player who was ready. He brings a lot of experience, plays simple football, and it’s not easy to find a 26-year-old with this kind of background in January». Alongside him, the development of Damian Kelvin continues, «who is improving a lot and we are very happy with his progress».
DELCROIX: “I FEEL GOOD HERE, I CAN’T WAIT TO PLAY”
On the eve of his first match at Cornaredo, Delcroix did not hide his excitement: «I really want to play this match in front of our fans. I can’t wait to get on the pitch». His enthusiasm is also linked to the environment and the coach, whose involvement and intensity he appreciated from the very beginning: «Since arriving here, I’ve found a very positive environment and a coach who is extremely involved, always present and motivated. You can feel it every day, in training and in the way he prepares matches. I like his tactical approach and his vision of the game, and I think it’s essential for a team to have such a clear and intense leader».
In attack, Croci-Torti also explained the decision to move Renato Steffen into a more central role: «Cimignani is currently delivering great performances and deserves to start on the right flank. He’s not a wing-back, but he’s doing very well both defensively and offensively». This led the coach to shift Steffen inside, «because in that area he touches more balls and feels more involved in the game». In Lucerne, number eleven did not register a goal or an assist, but the man-marking he received created other advantages: «It’s the first time since I’ve coached Renato that he’s been followed by an opponent for the entire match. That opened up other spaces, which Dos Santos exploited brilliantly». Further proof of a team capable of adapting and finding different solutions within the same match.
Saturday’s fixture therefore promises to be tricky and far from straightforward. Lugano come into it with confidence and ambition, but fully aware that against Winterthur humility, intensity and patience will be required. Cornaredo is ready to welcome the Bianconeri back: the 2026 home campaign can begin.
LUKAS MAI ON THE ROAD TO RECOVERY
Ahead of the match against FC Winterthur, three players will be unavailable. Lukas Mai continues his recovery process and is already training on the pitch with the ball. Elias Philström will remain sidelined as a precaution after suffering a sprained right ankle, while Diego Mina sustained a dislocation to a finger on his right hand following an accidental collision during a training session with the U21s.
