A convincing performance, characterised in particular by determination and spirit, has seen Lugano U21 secure their second consecutive victory. This time, the young Bianconeri defeated Brühl, the second-placed side in the Hoval Promotion League, at their home ground, the Centro Sportivo Al Maglio in Canobbio.
Having broken their duck in 2026 away to bottom-of-the-table Vevey-Sports, the lads led by manager Andrea Vitali approached the home fixture against the St Gallen side with a proactive mindset. As early as the third minute, a long ball played in for David Piffero ended with the striker’s shot being deflected for a corner. At the other end, Aptül Samet Çiçek tried his luck a few moments later. On that occasion, Diego Mina made a low save. As the clock ticked towards the 12th minute, a free-kick from the wing by Jason Parente was perhaps touched by the arm of an opposing defender. The ball reached Elias Pihlström, whose turn and shot went over the bar.
This incident was a preview of what happened sixty seconds later. Yuri Peverelli delivered a perfectly timed cross for Pihlström’s commanding header, which put the home side 1–0 up. In the moments that followed, the eastern Swiss side took control of the game. Whilst Bleron Mulliqi’s left-footed effort from the edge of the box went over, Sandro Di Nucci’s attempt was far more dangerous. Mina was not caught off guard, however, and with an open hand produced a truly spectacular save. Peverelli’s substitution due to a left thigh injury – Ilias Chakor came on in his place – did not alter the home side’s tactical set-up, as they continued to threaten Calvin Heim’s goal through Pihlström. The Swede’s run (he put in a solid performance, as did Brazilian centre-back João Carbone) ended with a right-footed shot from 18 yards that went over the bar.
It is an entertaining contest, with both sides battling for every ball. Just past the half-hour mark, the home side come close to doubling their lead. A through ball from Parente to Pihlström sees the Scandinavian’s left-footed touch crash against the post. Before the half-time whistle, there is still time for a curling left-footed shot from Piffero – who skilfully shielded the ball inside the box and cut inside to shake off his markers – to go just wide, and for a diagonal effort from Di Nucci to be confidently saved by Mina. The first half ends with a swift counter-attack from the visitors. It begins with Aleksandar Radić, who wins the ball in his own half. Passing to Yassin Sbai, the ball is then played to Parente, who cuts inside and slots home with his left foot past Heim into the bottom corner.
The two-goal lead allows the Ticino side to return from the dressing room with a positive attitude. The chances after the break come from shots by Mulliqi and Piffero, both of which go wide. Radić’s back then blocks Di Nucci’s dangerous right-footed volley, just before a tricky diagonal shot from Felipe Martins Dorta goes narrowly wide. The 63rd minute then arrives when, in an attempt to set up Piffero, Pihlström’s pass is deflected by Marin Cavar into his own net. Following the third goal, a mistake by Chakor (a trip on the newly substituted Silvano Nater Carungal) conceded a penalty to the visitors, who got back into the game thanks to Martins Dorta, who scored after wrong-footing Mina.
Milad Amirzade and his teammates did not lose heart, but the Sbai-Piffero-Parente trio failed to trouble Heim further. Rron Krueziu managed to do just that, however, with his powerful header from Parente’s free-kick being parried with difficulty by the St. Gallen goalkeeper. The match was ultimately decided between the 87th and 90th minutes. First, a through ball to Metin Bahtiyari allowed the centre-forward to outpace Radić and score the visitors’ second goal with a precise diagonal finish. Finally, the highlight of the match. Gjan Ajdin, the Swiss-Swedish midfielder who arrived in Lugano on Tuesday from Basel U21, introduced himself to his new fans with a spectacular curling right-footed shot into the top corner. His celebration, complete with a double somersault, marked the end of a match that secured three vital points for the young Bianconeri in their fight for survival.
The league table now shows the team climbing to tenth place on 28 points. The next fixture is scheduled for Saturday 21 March 2026. At 4.00 pm, under the roof of the Hubelmatt, the clash with Lucerne U21 will kick off.
In conclusion, Bianconeri coach Andrea Vitali had the following to say about his players’ performance this Sunday: ‘The lads read the game well. That put us in the lead, and today you could see their great desire to secure the result. They did well to get things right. Obviously, Brühl had more of the ball and we focused on the counter-attacks. That’s how it went and we’re happy. After the 3-2 goal, I wasn’t worried about not getting the three points, but I was focused solely on the match. Just as I was after their first goal. Gjan Ajdin’s stunning goal was incredible and sealed the match. Carbone and Pihlström? They came on to give us a hand and I’m very pleased with them. João was very solid in defence, whilst Elias set the ball rolling. I’d like to thank both the first team and them for taking to the pitch with the right attitude and the desire to do well. Lucerne U21? We’ll need to be good at ‘digesting’ this important joy and wonderful success. Every match is tough, regardless of whether it’s U21s or first teams. I wouldn’t make a distinction at this point. Against Brühl we played an excellent game; we were far hungrier than they were. That motivation allowed us to win. Let’s see if we can repeat the feat in Lucerne too.”
MATCH REPORT
Hoval Promotion League, Matchday 22
Sports Centre Al Maglio, Canobbio – 150 spectators
FC LUGANO U21 – SC BRÜHL 4–2 (2–0)
GOALS: 13' Pihlström 1:0, 45' +3' Parente 2:0, 63' Cavar 3:0 (own goal), 65' Martins Dorta 3:1 (penalty), 87' Bahtiyari 3:2, 90' Ajdin 4:2.
FC LUGANO U21 (3-4-2-1): Mina; Krueziu, Carbone (69' Chiesa), Radić; Peverelli (24' Chakor), Amirzade (90' +1' Puddu), Maslarov, Sbai; Parente, Pihlström (69' Ajdin); Piffero (90' +1' Raffa).
Substitutes: Pellanda, Tiraboschi.
Manager: Andrea Vitali.
SC BRÜHL (4-4-2): Heim; Mettler, Capozzi, Traber, Wörnhard (76' Stöber); Di Nucci (60' Bahtiyari), Mulliqi, Cavar (69' Stadler), Martins Dorta; Abazi (60' Nater Carungal), Çiçek (76' Rahimi).
Substitutes: Basić, Freimann.
Manager: Denis Sonderegger.
REFEREE: Zarko Jevremović.
ASSISTANTS: Kevin Blättler and Michael Gilli.
BOOKINGS: 44' Cavar, 64' Chakor, 76' Bahtiyari.