On paper, it was a daunting prospect. On the pitch, however, thanks to self-sacrifice, character and determination, Lugano Femminile held league leaders Yverdon to a 1-1 draw, earning themselves a point that feels like a minor miracle.
The clash between the seventh-placed side and the leaders of Lega Nazionale B unfolded as expected, with the Vaud-based side dominating the pitch and possession, intent on applying suffocating pressure on the Bianconere through constant attacks in the opposition’s half.
Despite clear initial difficulties, it was the home side – who spent the first half defending and launching quick counter-attacks – who created the first noteworthy moment. In the fourth minute, Michelle Gigante set up Lucrezia Sasso, whose left-footed shot from the edge of the box was parried with some difficulty by Laura Droz. Aline Oliva’s subsequent right-footed cross-shot, following a central attempt by Carina Da Costa Vilela, went narrowly wide.
The match showed no sign of letting up, and from the tenth minute onwards, the Biancoverdi created one chance after another. First, Maeva Sogan won a tackle against Melissa Colombo and a shot by Elise Boccali was deflected for a corner by Chiara Audrino. Then came a right-footed effort from Loelie Fior that went wide and a timely block by Eleonora Castellani just inches from her goal line. These incidents were the prelude to the Romand side’s opening goal. In the 18th minute, a cross came in from the right for Da Costa Vilela, who timed her run perfectly and, with a powerful first-time volley, beat Audrino.
The applause, even from the Lugano side, for the opposition’s goal did not slow the pace of Arnaud Vialatte’s charges, who created several chances to extend their lead before the half-time whistle, but failed to do so. Credit is also due to a miraculous save by Audrino from Zia Girardin’s header. However, maintaining a rather high defensive line allowed the home side to threaten Droz’s goal on three specific occasions. In the 27th minute, second assistant referee Micha Ottiger raised his flag to signal a dubious offside against Sasso, who had actually found the net on that occasion. The same No. 16, in the 36th minute, was played in deep by Oliva, cut inside past Frédérique Messomo and saw her left-footed shot go wide of the far post. A perfect through ball from Gigante (spared by referee Enis Gjemaj following a dangerous challenge on Girardin) for the ever-present Sasso in the 41st minute is finally blocked by Droz’s low save.
After the break, the match becomes much more evenly balanced. The at times frenetic pace imposed by Yverdon during the first forty-five minutes is no longer evident, and the home side capitalise on this, making the most of their passing and manoeuvring skills. Following an initial tactical substitution involving Mathilda Andreoli and Castellani, with Gigante moving in front of the defence, there is a moment of genuine fear. It was the 62nd minute when a hard challenge by Chloé Le Franc on Antonella Albertini sent the Lugano playmaker screaming in pain. Her screams, combined with tears at the fear of a serious knee injury, were such that a chill fell over the touchline. After a 120-second stoppage, play resumed with the Vaudois side subsequently reduced to ten women following Messomo’s sending-off for repeated protests whilst play was stopped, for which she was shown two yellow cards in the space of a few seconds. All this whilst Droz was ready to take a throw-in from the touchline.
With eleven against ten, the Bianconere found fresh energy to press forward into the Swiss-French penalty area. And so, in the 82nd minute, a free-kick from Sara Gorza found Colombo, who controlled the ball and crossed it into the centre from the byline for Sasso. The centre-forward didn’t need to be asked twice; anticipating Droz’s rush off her line, she struck the ball with her left foot, sending it into the bottom corner. The final highlights worth noting were another fine tackle by Audrino on Michelle Sager and a booking for Girardin for a powerful ‘body check’ on Greta Aio.
After eight interminable minutes of added time, celebrations break out on Pitch F at the Cornaredo Stadium for the point secured, bringing the season’s tally to 28. The team remains in seventh place in the table. And now they can prepare for the final fixture of the first phase of the league with plenty of time to spare. Saturday 4 April 2026 at 17:00 sees the away fixture in Schlieren on the schedule.
At the end of the intense clash with Yverdon, manager Andrea Antonelli reveals a certain satisfaction (and who can blame him?) at the excellent performance put in by his girls: “I find it hard to comment on the team’s performance, because it was truly incredible! From every angle – technical, tactical and mental – they played a sensational match, regardless of the point earned. And this also suggests we have some management issues, given that seven days ago in Ostermundigen we played our worst match since I arrived. It’s something to study and analyse, given the changes from one week to the next, which are, to say the least, unusual. Analysis of the match? In the first half, they started very strongly. Our tactical organisation and preparation for the match were incredible. It’s no coincidence that the Vaud girls broke the deadlock with a spectacular goal worthy of applause. We created chances through counter-attacks. However, we had to play this sort of game. We also came close to scoring, but what I want to emphasise is the tactical aspect, with the girls giving their all in every single marking, every single positioning, every single press and every single duel. Antonella Albertini’s injury? From where I was standing, I didn’t see the challenge. I only heard her cries of pain. In addition, I was told she was taken to hospital for the necessary checks. I’ll certainly be in touch with her, but I’d like to wish her all the best right now. The only thing that’s demoralising us is her injury. We all know how important she is to our team. How will we manage the next two weeks? We’ll stick to our standard training sessions. We’ll try to regroup, taking the time we need.”
MATCH REPORT
National League B Women, Matchday 21
Cornaredo Stadium, Pitch F – 100 spectators
FC LUGANO WOMEN - YVERDON SPORT FC 1:1 (0:1)
GOALS: 18' Da Costa Vilela 0:1, 82' Sasso 1:1.
FC LUGANO WOMEN (4-2-3-1): Audrino; Di Mauro, Colombo, Zanaboni, Castellani (55' Andreoli); Gorza (86' Bassi), Albertini (65' Aio); Oliva, Di Muro, Gigante; Sasso.
Substitutes: Imelli, Russo, Crapanzano, Dalić.
Manager: Andrea Antonelli.
YVERDON SPORT FC (4-3-3): Droz; Da Silva, Girardin, Messomo, Fior; Remy, Dumas (65' Poitras), Boccali (65' von Dach); Le Franc, Da Costa Vilela (80' Sager), Sogan (46' Khiri).
Substitutes: Roch.
Manager: Arnaud Vialatte.
REFEREE: Enis Gjemaj.
ASSISTANTS: Fabio Amstad and Micha Ottiger.
BOOKINGS: 71' Khiri, 76' Messomo, 77' Messomo, 90' Girardin.
SENT OFF: 77' Messomo (two yellow cards).
Women's First TeamMarch 22, 2026