Recovery match between FC Lugano and FC St. Gallen 1879, after the original challenge, valid for the 12th day of the Brack Super League last 2 November, had been suspended at the 48th minute due to bad weather. As per the regulation, the game restarts from the beginning and from the score of 0-0. The HCL players have to renounce to the disqualified Uran Bislimi - expelled at Thun - while the guests are without Lukas Görtler, stopped after the red card against Lausanne. Croci-Torti modified three elements with respect to the initial line-up that overcame Thun: Doumbia took Bislimi's place, while Koutsias and Cassano, protagonists with goals and assists of Saturday's victory, found again a starting jersey in place of Mahou and Behrens.
EARLY ADVANTAGE
The beginning is propitious for Lugano that, at the 19th minute, builds the first great occasion with a corner scheme: Grgić serves Dos Santos at the limit, who hits on the right wing touching the post. The HCL team, since the beginning, proved to be in control of the game for most of the time, while Saint-Gallen appeared timidly on the 26th minute with Daschner's attempt from outside, high.
At the 33rd minute comes the deserved advantage: Doumbia intercepts a ball in the middle of the field and triggers Koutsias, skilful in going back on the left side and unleashing a powerful low shot that enters the corner. It is 1-0 for Lugano. Lugano remained in control and on the 41st minute created another opportunity with Grgić's pass in the area for Dos Santos' left shot, blocked by Zigi.
After this wasted opportunity, St. Gallen, however, found the draw: after a duel in the area between Mai and Efekele, the ball reached Boukhalfa's limit, who unleashed a very violent conclusion on which Saipi could not intervene. Thus ended a balanced first time, with Lugano more brilliant in the construction but punished at the first real guest's occasion.
GREEN-AND-WHITE COMEBACK
The second time opened with another HCL dangerous initiative: at the 51' Cimignani jumped over two adversaries, entered the area and shot from a defiladed position finding Zigi's careful answer. The answer of San Gallo arrived at the 57th minute, when Balde - just entered - engaged Saipi with a powerful right-footed shot from outside the area.
Then, at the 62nd minute, the guests completed the come back: Ambrosius crossed from the right side, Daschner controlled in an acrobatic way and shot the 2-1 goal. A goal that cut Lugano's legs. Croci-Torti's team reacted immediately and, at the 70th minute, grazed the draw with Behrens, who received Zanotti's deep ball and kicked with the first intention to cross the goalpost.
In the final period, the HCL formation continued to press, building another chance at the 84th minute with Duville-Parsemain's header on Zanotti's service, but Zigi once more blocked without difficulty. With Lugano unbalanced in the attack, St. Gallen took advantage of this at the 96th minute with Balde who signed the final 3-1.
A bitter defeat for Lugano that interrupts its run after the successes of the last weeks. The team remains therefore fifth at 22 points, while St. Gallen rises to 27 and confirms itself in the highest parts of the league standings, behind the leader Thun (31).
SCOREBOARD
FCLUGANO - FC SAN GALLO 1-3
Brack Super League - Recovery 12th Matchday
26 November 2025 - Cornaredo Stadium
Spectators: 3543
Scorers : 33′Koutsias, 42' Boukhalfa, 62' Daschner, 95' Baldé
FC LUGANO (4-2-3-1): Saipi; Zanotti, Papadopoulos, Mai (53' El Wafi), Marques; Doumbia, Grgić; Cimignani (79' Duville-Parsemain), Dos Santos (79' Pihlström), Cassano (60' Mahou); Koutsias (60' Behrens).
At disposal: Mina, Brault-Guillard, Kendouci, Parente.
Coach: Mattia Croci-Torti.
FC SAN GALLO (3-5-2): Zigi, Ambrosius (70' Vallci), Stanić, May; Vandermersch, Boukhalfa, Stevanović, Daschner (93' Quintillà), Okoroji (46' Ouattara); Efekele (46' Balde), Vogt (91' Witzig).
Available: Watkowiak, Weibel, Besio, Ruiz.
Coach: Enrico Maaßen.
Referee: Alessandro Dudic.
Assistants: Pascal Hirzel, Nicolas Müller.
4th Official: Luca Piccolo.
VAR/AVAR: Sandro Schärer, Nico Gianforte.
Admitted: Okoroji (FCSG), Efekele (FCSG), Ambrosius (FCSG), Cimignani (LUG), Dos Santos (LUG), Vogt (FCSG), Marques (LUG).