FC Lugano returns to the pitch at Cornaredo in the midweek match valid for the 24th round of the Brack Super League, facing Servette FC on an evening marked by an emergency in midfield. The simultaneous suspensions of Grgic, Bislimi and Belhadj force Mattia Croci-Torti to reshuffle the team, relying on alternative solutions with Kendouci making his debut from the start and Papadopoulos deployed in midfield to maintain balance and solidity against an always difficult opponent.
After an initial period of assessment, the Bianconeri took the lead in the 13th minute with their first real chance of the match. Lukas Mai played a long ball, the defence cleared it short, and Kevin Behrens was the quickest to reach the ball: the striker entered the area, won a rebound and beat Mall. It was the German's tenth league goal in 24 appearances, a round number that once again confirms his offensive importance. After the Bianconeri took the lead, the pace slowed considerably: Lugano managed possession, while Servette remained compact and organised, without taking any risks. However, in the 35th minute, an incident occurred that could have changed the game: a penalty was awarded to the visitors for a handball by Cimignani. Stevanović stepped up to take the spot kick, but Saipi guessed the corner and made a great save, keeping the score at 1-0 until half-time.
EQUALISER IN THE FINAL MINUTES
The second half began with a scare for the home side: in the 48th minute, Burch's header from a corner kick went just over the bar. The middle of the second half was slow-paced, with both teams lacking inspiration and unable to create any real chances. Servette tried to gain the upper hand in possession and pressure, but without really troubling Saipi. In the 77th minute, however, the Geneva side managed to find the equaliser: from a cross from the left, in a scramble in the box, the winning goal came from Mráz, who had just come on, finding the decisive touch from close range. It was a cruel blow for Lugano, who had been in the lead throughout the game and had never really been under pressure, with just fifteen minutes to go. In stoppage time, in the 93rd minute, the last chance came from a set piece: Steffen's cross and Behrens' header grazed the crossbar and his personal double.
It was the last gasp of a dull game in which a struggling Lugano side recorded their third consecutive draw and were joined by St. Gallen in second place in the table. In four days' time, at St. Jakob-Park against Basel, the Bianconeri will be back in pursuit of victory.
MATCH REPORT
FC LUGANO – SERVETTE FC 1-1
Brack Super League – Matchday 24
11 February 2026 – Cornaredo Stadium
Spectators: 2759
Goalscorers: 13' Behrens, 77' Mráz
FC LUGANO (3-4-2-1): Saipi; Mai, Kelvin, Carbone (52' Steffen); Zanotti, Kendouci (68' Maslarov), Papadopoulos, Cimignani; Dos Santos, Bottani (52' Koutsias); Behrens.
Substitutes: von Ballmoos, Brault-Guillard, Peverelli, Pihlström, Mahou, Parente.
Coach: Mattia Croci-Torti.
SERVETTE FC (3-4-1-2): Mall; Burch, Severin, Mazikou; Mendes (88' Allix), Fomba (57' Lopes), Douline, Njoh; Cognat; Atangana (68' Mráz), Stevanovic.
Substitutes: Aubert, Bronn, Ondoua, Vincen, Mardochée, Denarie.
Coach: Jocelyn Gourvennec.
Referee: Urs Schnyder
Assistants: Marco Zürcher and Benjamin Zürcher
4th official: Johannes von Mandach
VAR and AVAR: Hüseyin Sanli and Nico Gianforte
Bookings: Bottani (LUG), Kendouci (LUG), Douline (SFC), Carbone (LUG), Severin (SFC).