With their respective league positions already decided, Lugano and Étoile Carouge face off under the roof of the Cornaredo Stadium on the twenty-sixth and final matchday of the 2025–2026 Lega Nazionale B season.
Having started two hours later than originally scheduled (the kick-off was in fact at 7.00 pm) due to traffic jams encountered by the coach travelling from the Canton of Geneva, the match took an unexpected turn for the numerous bianconeri supporters who had gathered in the main stand for the final official fixture at the historic city ground. After just fifty seconds, in fact, a long ball found Léa Mega ready and waiting; she slipped between Melissa Colombo and Sara Di Mauro, beat Marie Enning to the ball and broke the deadlock.
Having taken the blow, the home side reacted as well as they possibly could. First with a left-footed effort from Antonella Albertini that went just over, and then with the equaliser. Some great work down the left flank by Mathilda Andreoli allowed her to deliver a low cross for Nina Gnesa, who left her marker standing, beat Emilie Fortis to the ball and, with a soft finish, restored parity. Lugano’s play was fluid and, in the 20th minute, a devastating run by Michelle Gigante down the right ended with an inviting cross into the centre of the box. None of her teammates, however, were on hand to receive it and the potential chance faded away. Midway through the half, Andreoli made the most of a through ball to slot herself between the gaps in the Romandy defence and turn the score around with a splendid chip.
As for the first half, there were no further notable incidents, other than the home side’s virtually total control of proceedings. After the break, the bianconeri coaching staff made a change in goal, with Marie Enning being replaced by Chiara Audrino. It was the latter who was alert to Cindy Grao’s free-kick from midfield, which was aimed directly at the goal. The chance came after Andreoli’s curling right-footed shot went well wide and a pair of identical attempts by Albertini went over the bar.
As the match approached the hour mark, a favourable moment for the Swiss-French side allowed them to draw level. Initially, Audrino parried a diagonal shot from Marion Lesaffre with her foot. After that, she could only watch as Mega’s splendid overhead kick nestled into the bottom left corner. Just as they had done after falling behind, the Sub-Cenerine side refused to be disheartened and pressed forward relentlessly. Their search for the decisive goal was patient, with a preview coming in the form of a long-range right-footed effort from Andreoli that flew just over the bar. Before the most important moment of the evening, it is worth noting the leniency shown by referee Daniel Hobi towards Leandra Babarro, who kicked Albertini to the ground yet remained on the pitch with a mere yellow card – despite the justified protests from the bianconeri players over unsporting behaviour.
Now comes the 83rd minute and a free-kick from the wing by Albertini. The trajectory is, as usual, inviting, and indeed it reaches captain Eleonora Castellani at the far post, who controls it and, with precision, sends the crowd into raptures, as well as all her teammates. Subsequently, there is even the chance for a fourth goal, but Albertini’s penalty – won with determination by Andreoli – hits the wall formed by Cassandra Moinet who, with the help of the post, denies the attacking midfielder the joy of scoring. Never mind, as Audrino makes a final decisive save to secure the victory from Kelly Bocchieri’s free-kick in the 92nd minute.
And so the 2025–2026 season for FC Lugano Femminile ends with a win – the eleventh of the season, taking them to 38 points (finishing first in the mini-league) – and, as a result, the official farewell to the historic Cornaredo Stadium could not have been better. Three goals, three points and joy for the whole of Lugano.
As this long season draws to a close, here is coach Andrea Antonelli’s comment: ‘We were very keen to finish with a win and bid farewell to this historic stadium. We managed it, and finishing on a high with a strong performance against a quality opponent who play good football is truly satisfying. It often happens that towards the end of the season, teams who are already safe let their guard down a little. That wasn’t the case for us, and I’m really pleased about that. We gave the championship our all right up to the last second and the last goal. Conceding a goal so early on is certainly not ideal. After the kick-off, we were caught napping for a minute. The girls regrouped immediately and kept their heads, partly because they had plenty of time on their hands. They played intelligently and managed the different phases of the match well. Then, the fact that we managed to seal the win is a bonus. Despite everything, we even managed to ‘indulge’ in missing a penalty in the closing stages. But that’s part of the game too; it’s all part of football. My personal assessment? Very good; I’m truly satisfied, both in terms of points and the performances delivered. A truly superb result.”
MATCH REPORT
National Women’s League B, placement round, Matchday 26
Cornaredo Stadium, Lugano – 150 spectators
FC LUGANO WOMEN - ÉTOILE CAROUGE FC 3:2 (2:1)
GOALS: 1' Mega 0:1, 6' Gnesa 1:1, 22' Andreoli 2:1, 58' Mega 2:2, 83' Castellani 3:2.
FC LUGANO WOMEN (4-4-1-1): Enning (46' Audrino); Di Mauro, Colombo, Zanaboni, Castellani (88' Russo); Oliva (90' Bassi), von Ballmoos (66' Aio), Gigante, Andreoli; Albertini; Gnesa (66' Nascimento Sá).
Substitutes: Boettger.
Manager: Andrea Antonelli.
ÉTOILE CAROUGE FC (4-1-2-3): Fortis (63' Moinet); Grao (57' Babarro), Bocchieri, Ben Mohamed, Lopes; Grivaz; Martínez (84' Muharremi), Recimil Magarinos; Lesaffre, Afiouni (66' Belarbi), Mega.
Substitutes: Hammi.
Manager: Diogo Abade.
REFEREE: Daniel Hobi.
ASSISTANTS: Roberto Passeri and Ana Maria López Correa.
BOOKINGS: 30' Ben Mohamed, 77' Babarro, 77' Bocchieri, 90' +1' Albertini.