The first leg of FC Lugano on Tour and the bianconeri’s first pre-season friendly. In Giubiasco, Mattia Croci-Torti’s side took on Neuchâtel Xamax, kicking off their summer campaign with a 2-1 victory.
Before kick-off, a brief official ceremony was held in the presence of US Giubiasco president Pietro Minotti and FC Lugano’s Chief Sports Officer Sebastian Pelzer. The Bellinzona-based club highlighted the imminent launch, scheduled for 1 July, of the Ticino Partnership, which will involve both them and FC Lugano. US Giubiasco also took the opportunity to thank the bianconeri once again for their trust, reaffirming its commitment to developing young local talent.
STEFFEN
SCORES THE FIRST GOAL For their first match of the season, Croci-Torti selected Von Ballmoos in goal, with Zanotti, Mai, Bichsel and Alioski in defence. In midfield, Steffen, Ajdin, Bislimi and Dos Santos started, with Puddu and Behrens leading the attack. From the very first minute, therefore, new signing Bichsel and two youngsters from the U21s were in the starting line-up: Ajdin, who had already made his Super League debut last season, and Puddu.
Lugano started at a brisk pace and, in the 4th minute, threatened with a curling shot from Dos Santos that went wide. In the 11th minute, the bianconeri took the lead: following a corner, Ajdin was fouled in the box and the referee pointed to the spot. From the penalty spot, Steffen made no mistake to make it 1–0.
In the 26th minute, however, Neuchâtel Xamax equalised, again following a move that originated from a corner. Amidst a flurry of action in the bianconeri’s box, captain Eris Abedini was the quickest to react, slotting the ball into the corner with his right foot to make it 1–1. The first half thus ended in a draw.
THE SECOND
HALF In the second half, Croci-Torti brought on a completely new line-up, fielding a whole new team partly to manage the players’ energy levels after a first half played in intense heat.
Gebhardt made his debut in goal, with Papadopoulos, Kelvin and Carbone in defence. In midfield, Cimignani, Grgic, Kendouci and Parente took to the pitch, whilst Raffa, Pihlström and Tiraboschi led the line. In the second half, too, the bianconeri manager fielded the youngsters, with Parente, Raffa and Tiraboschi featuring in the first friendly of the season.
In the 59th minute, Lugano regained the lead. Grgic played a through ball to Tiraboschi, who was brought down in the box as he went one-on-one with the goalkeeper. It was the bianconeri’s second penalty of the day: this time Grgic stepped up to take it, converting to seal the 2–1 victory.
In the heat of Giubiasco, FC Lugano thus wrapped up their first pre-season friendly with a victory. A match inevitably affected by the training workload and the temperatures, but one which proved useful for Croci-Torti in gauging the form of both the more experienced players and the U21 youngsters.
MEET & GREET WITH THE FANS
At the end of the match, the fans in the stands were able to enjoy a convivial moment in the Food & Beverage and Merchandising areas, before the Meet & Greet with the team. Boys, girls and bianconeri supporters had the chance to meet their heroes, take photos and get an autograph.
This was a moment of connection and sharing with the local community, one of the main objectives of the FC Lugano on Tour project.
Mattia Croci-Torti’s team will now return to training this week ahead of the next leg of the tour: the match in Losone against FC Rapperswil-Jona.