After the winter break, the Brack Super League is ready to start again and for the FC Lugano the official 2026 starts at Lucerne. On Saturday night, with kick-off at 6 pm, the Bianconeri will visit FC Luzern at the Swissporarena, returning to play an official game 28 days after the last championship game, the net 3-0 against BSC Young Boys of the 21st of December.
In the meantime, Mattia Croci-Torti's team took advantage of the break to fly to Benidorm for a week's winter training camp, and measured themselves in two tests of absolute international importance against 1. FC Köln and FC Viktoria Plzeň, matches that allowed the group to accumulate 'real minutes' and approach the resumption with a rhythm already close to that of the championship.
A similar path of preparation was followed by Lucerne, engaged in the last few weeks in friendly matches against VfB Stuttgart - a Bundesliga team and protagonist in the UEFA Europa League - and against SC Rheindorf Altach, a team from the Austrian top division. Defeat against the Germans and victory against the Austrians, in two useful tests for the white-blue team, called to redeem a first half of the season below the expectations: in spite of the 4-0 success obtained in Lausanne on the last day before the break, Luzern currently occupies the ninth place in the league standings, out of the top 6.
CROCI-TORTI: “LUCERNE A TOUGH OPPONENT”
Mattia Croci-Torti's conference started with the analysis of the adversary, who invited not to underestimate the commitment: "Lucerne remains a strong team and has always hurt everybody at home. I expect them to try to give continuity to the December victory against Lausanne: winning at the Swissporarena is always difficult". Words that frame a challenge that is anything but simple, beyond the league standings.
On the HCL front, the sensations are positive. The technician underlined how the break allowed to work with continuity and intensity: "We were able to train with practically the whole team and the two friendlies were against adversaries already prepared. We arrive at this game with real minutes in our legs". Elements that allow FC Lugano to present itself at the restart with solid bases.
From a tactical point of view, the three-man defence remains an option for the future, but not in the immediate future. "For us it is important to be unpredictable and to have more solutions," explained Croci-Torti, clarifying how the temporary absence of Lukas Mai directs the initial choices towards other systems. In this context, the arrival of Hannes Delcroix, a left-handed central defender who broadens the range of alternatives in the back: "He is a player with experience and maturity, characteristics that we lacked.
Looking at the squad as a whole, the coach reiterated that the winter market did not end with the arrival of the Belgian-Haitian alone: 'In January we have more than one new signing. Kendouci has done a very good preparation and is becoming an important player for us. In addition, our big reinforcements will be von Ballmoos, Alioski and Bottani, who are returning after a long period of absence'. Returns destined to have an impact especially in the medium term, increasing competition and solutions.
Renato Steffen, who is ready to experience a comeback season as a protagonist, also plays a central role in this picture. "We need decisive players to win games, and we are sure that Steffen has these qualities in his ropes," Croci-Torti reiterated.
STEFFEN: "I WANT TO HELP THE TEAM ON THE FIELD AND OUT OF IT"
For his part, the HCL outside player underlined the importance of physical condition and leadership: "When I am at one hundred per cent, I can help the team with intensity, goals and assists, but also with my role as a leader, which starts from the work in training".
With the resumption of the championship, the goal is clear: to start strong without underestimating anyone. "The first games are fundamental, we must start well right away, without experimenting," Croci-Torti concluded. The Swissporarena will thus pass the first test bench of 2026, in a Brack Super League that is ready to reignite its engines.
TRAVELLING TO LUCERNE IN A GREENER WAY
On the occasion of the away match at the Swissporarena, HCL fans can take advantage of the brand new nationalcar pooling platform. An initiative that allows them to share the journey with other supporters, reduce emissions and experience the approach to the match in company.