The sixth official match of FC Lugano U21’s new competitive season sees the bianconeri’s reserve side embark on a long away trip to Romandy, where they face the newly promoted Vaud-based side Amical Saint-Prex. When referee Laura Mauricio blew the final whistle, the score was 1–0 (1–0) in favour of the home side.
As on previous occasions, manager Andrea Vitali was forced to do without the injured Milad Amirzade and Jason Parente. As for suspensions, however, no one was missing. However, Christian Raffa and Bryan Zurmühle are at risk of suspension, having already picked up three yellow cards in the first five matchdays. The rest of the starting line-up, apart from the two players just mentioned, sees, in particular, the return between the posts of Diego Mina (making his second appearance this season) and the return to the back three of Luca Molino, who starts the match wearing the captain’s armband after coming on as a substitute in the closing stages of last weekend’s match against Bavois.
The late afternoon in Saint-Prex got off to a bad start for the Ticino side, as, as early as the sixth minute, the referee spotted Nicola Gamba using his arm to block a close-range attempt by Stéphane Gomes. A penalty was therefore awarded. João Antonio stepped up to take the spot-kick and, with an unstoppable rocket down the middle, quickly broke the deadlock. For the fifth time out of six, the Ticino side found themselves ‘behind’, whilst also conceding their fourth goal overall within the first ten minutes. The visitors then sought to take control of the game, giving their opponents no respite and forcing them into tactical fouls. The match reaches the 17th minute, when Lugano’s first shot – taken by Zurmühle – goes wide and therefore poses no threat to Quentin Hocini.
At the other end, there was a moment of ‘cold sweat’ in the twenty-seventh minute, when a swift counter-attack led to a shot from the edge of the box by Theodore Elsig. The home side’s centre-forward’s venomous left-footed effort flew just wide of the post, prompting a sigh of relief from Mina and his team-mates. The pattern of the match is straightforward to follow and goes as follows: Lugano U21 controlled proceedings and tried to get close to the Vaudese goal, whilst Amical Saint-Prex ‘retreated’ into their own half, waiting for the ideal moment to strike again. The first half consequently ended without further incident, with Andy Laugeois’s side holding on to a narrow lead.
Six minutes after the restart – which took place without any substitutions on either side (these would follow in quick succession from the midway point of the second half) – Leon Rüeger sent a low cross across the face of goal, where Zurmühle was waiting, but he was unable to connect with the ball due to a defender’s interference. This demonstrated the bianconeri’s clear determination to come away with a positive result. Hocini’s subsequent two-handed save from Nicolò Puddu’s low shot to the right confirms this impression. The high line adopted by the Lugano side offers the spectators a match resembling a one-sided affair. Most of the time is spent in the attacking half, whilst, as a consequence, they leave plenty of space for the home side’s counter-attacks, which fail to result in goals thanks to the defence’s timely return.
In the 80th minute, Raffa took a free-kick from distance which, had it not been deflected by a header onto the line, might have troubled Hocini. In the closing stages of the match, the Lugano coaching staff rewarded Vincenzo Schipani with his U21 debut. The 18-year-old midfielder, normally a member of the U19s, is yet another ‘home-grown’ talent who has been given playing time with the reserve team this season. Right at the death, in the 90th minute, a golden opportunity went begging just a step away from the home goal. The score remained at 1–0 until the final whistle, which came after 360 seconds of added time, reflecting an evenly matched contest in which the team from the lower part of the Ticino region lacked a bit of ruthlessness in front of goal.
The next fixture to boost their season’s tally – currently stuck on 6 points, putting them in 15th place – is scheduled for Sunday 13 September 2026 at 15:30. At the Al Maglio Sports Centre in Canobbio, Lugano U21 will face their young neighbours from Basel.
““We’re very short on numbers,” begins manager Andrea Vitali in his usual post-match analysis. “The lads put in a good performance, despite a pitch that made it really difficult to play fluid football. However, the team adapted, trying everything, but ultimately failing to secure the result they deserved. Today, in addition to Joakim Migliorati (making his second appearance), another young player, Vincenzo Schipani, made his debut. A few absences due to injury have allowed them to slot in quickly. We now have fifteen days to get those who are still unavailable back to full fitness, knowing we’ll have to grit our teeth. That said, I’m pleased for those who were given a chance, having earned it through the positive impressions they made during the week’s training sessions. As for the match, it was decided by a somewhat dubious penalty (the third against us so far this season). A similar situation in our favour, however, was deemed not to warrant a penalty. It’s a shame because, as I said, the lads put in a good performance.”
MATCH REPORT
Hoval Promotion League 2026–2027, Matchday 6
Stade de Marcy, Saint-Prex
FC AMICAL SAINT-PREX – FC LUGANO U21 1–0 (1–0)
GOALSCORER: 7’ João Antonio 1–0 (penalty).
FC AMICAL SAINT-PREX (3-4-3): Hocini; Casimiro, Maserati, Le Neün; Billet (66’ Emini), João Antonio, Francisco (66’ Morard), Gomes; Pédat (77’ Laouini), Soares, Elsig.
Substitutes: Atangana, Olaniyi, Marolany.
Manager: Andy Laugeois.
FC LUGANO U21 (3-1-4-2): Mina; Gamba, Krueziu (83’ Radić), Molino; Puddu, Gervasini (68’ Migliorati); Davis (68’ Tiraboschi), Raffa, Rüeger (83’ Schipani); Riva, Zurmühle.
Substitutes: Gerosa, Beggiato, Frizzi.
Manager: Andrea Vitali.
REFEREE: Laura Mauricio.
ASSISTANTS: Denys Greder and Emilie Aubry.
BOOKINGS: 22' Francisco, 70' Tiraboschi, 82' Casimiro.
Men's U21September 5, 2026