As part of Matchday 12 of the Hoval Promotion League, Lugano U21 host Bavois at their home ground, the Maglio, aiming to bounce back from their recent poor results. At the end of the ninety minutes played on Sunday afternoon, the scoreboard read 1–1 (0–1).
Unable to call upon Ilija Maslarov, who was suspended for one match after picking up his fourth yellow card of the season in the last outing in Bern against Young Boys U21, manager Andrea Vitali opted to deploy Nicolò Puddu a few yards deeper than usual. Rafael Frizzi regained his place in the centre of the attack in the starting eleven, supported by the returning Jason Parente and Elias Pihlström.
In a largely even start to the match, the first notable moment came in the 13th minute, when a corner from Yuri Peverelli found Lendrit Shala’s header from the centre of the box. Despite carrying decent power, the Kosovar defender’s header sailed over the crossbar. The period that followed saw the home side intent on playing their usual sweeping attacking football. However, this failed to translate into scoring opportunities, partly due to the excellent defensive cover provided by the Vaudois side, who are, not surprisingly, third in the league.
Opportunities to break the deadlock are few and far between, so the next highlight is a heavy collision between Frizzi and the visiting goalkeeper Maxime Brenet, resulting in a booking for rough play for the Bianconeri striker. Another reckless challenge by the same No. 14 shortly afterwards prompts referee Laura Mauricio to produce a second yellow card, meaning a sending-off and an early shower. The Romands immediately capitalise on their numerical advantage and, with a fine overhead kick from Allan Eleouet, catch the Ticino defence off guard, turning the score in their favour three minutes before the half-time whistle and allowing them to head into the dressing room one goal ahead.
Without a key attacking player, the Lugano side relied on team play which, as the manager always emphasises, is the aspect that must make the difference for such a young squad on any occasion. And it was precisely through this that, in the 53rd minute, a penalty was awarded for a clear foul on Johann Angstmann. Milad Amirzade stepped up to take the spot-kick, but was hypnotised by Brenet and missed the golden opportunity to level the score. Trying to keep spirits high, the Sottocenerini produced a venomous diagonal shot from Pihlström who, from a tight angle, narrowly missed the target as the clock ticked rapidly towards the halfway point of the second period.
The determination to end the match on a positive note continued, and with just over a quarter of an hour remaining, they were awarded a second penalty. This time, Amirzade made no mistake, and with a right-footed shot into the top corner, he sent the crowd at the Maglio into raptures. It was the objectively deserved equaliser. Luca Molino and his teammates maintained the right attitude and continued to play intelligently right up to the final whistle – during which they appealed for another penalty for a challenge on the newly substituted David Piffero that was perhaps even clearer than the previous two – securing their sixth consecutive draw in six home matches.
“It was a balanced match, where everything changed in four or five minutes. This was because their goalkeeper was sent off for a foul on Rafael Frizzi. Instead, the referee reversed the decision. After that, we had a moment where we got confused and conceded the goal. In the second half, the main message, being down to ten men against eleven, was to help one another. And the lads did just that, sending out a positive signal. Beyond these situations, given how the match unfolded, we’re satisfied and will carry on in this vein. Also because, recalling the red cards we received at the start of the season, those matches ended in heavy defeats for us. We’re currently going through a difficult period, with a few first-team players sidelined through injury. Those who play, however, are doing themselves proud. For the near future, we’ll need to be patient, trying to stay focused at all times,” said manager Andrea Vitali in his post-match analysis.
This draw – the sixth of the season and the fourth in the last six competitive matches – leaves Lugano U21 in 15th place in the table, but takes them up to 12 points, two ahead of Paradiso and three ahead of Grand-Saconnex, who have made a strong comeback thanks to recent wins over Vevey-Sports and Bienne. The next opportunity to try and taste victory again will be on Sunday 26 October 2025. At 3.30 pm, again in Canobbio, the fixture against Bienne is scheduled.
MATCH REPORT
Hoval Promotion League, Matchday 12 Al Maglio
Sports Centre, Canobbio – 200 spectators
FC LUGANO U21 – FC BAVOIS 1:1 (0:1)
GOALS: 42′ Eleouet 0:1, 74′ Amirzade 1:1 (penalty).
FC LUGANO U21 (3-4-2-1): Mina; Shala, Radić, Molino; Peverelli, Amirzade, Puddu (61′ Raffa), Angstmann (75′ Donnini); Parente, Pihlström (85′ Piffero); Frizzi.
Substitutes: Ndiaye, Gecaj, Shabanaj, Lechner.
Manager: Andrea Vitali.
FC BAVOIS (4-3-3): Brenet; Diallo, Amedoski, Rodrigues (46′ Begzadić), Guignard; Ivanov, Ribeiro, Bega; Álvarez (85′ Trabelsi), Figueiredo Simões (85′ Risse), Eleouet (85′ Clément).
Substitutes: Manière, Mougnol.
Manager: Bekim Uka.
REFEREE: Laura Mauricio.
ASSISTANTS: Alper Keles and Florent Hunziker.
BOOKINGS: 33′ Frizzi, 38′ Rodrigues, 39′ Frizzi, 66′ Amirzade, 77′ Álvarez, 78′ Uka, 80′ Amedoski, 82′ Molino, 90′ +3′ Vitali.
SENT OFF: 39′ Frizzi.