Lugano Femminile returned to official competition with a set of joys, inflicting a resounding 6-1 (3-0) defeat on Étoile Carouge at their home ground in Cornaredo in cool weather with a few drops of rain.
Twenty minutes into the game, the Bianconeri had their first reason to smile. A rebound from a corner kick found Michelle Gigante, who didn't think twice about breaking the deadlock. Only nine minutes later, Mathilda Andreoli doubled the lead. The number 7, who was also captain for the evening, skipped past her opponent and slotted the ball into the near post after a run down the left. Another corner proved decisive for the third goal, scored with a header by Lucrezia Sasso two minutes before the half-time whistle. The latter was also involved in the fourth goal with a quick counterattack and an assist for Antonella Albertini, who scored with her speciality, a shot from outside the box. The fifth goal, which came in the 56th minute, was similar to the first: Andreoli pounced on a loose ball in the box and fired an unstoppable shot into the top corner. The Lugano goal fest ended with Giorgia Zanaboni, who skilfully controlled a ball from the right by Aline Oliva and directed it past Emilie Fortis. Marion Lesaffre's penalty kick fifteen minutes from the end prevented Marie Enning from finishing the match with a clean sheet, but it did not spoil the splendid return to action of the Sottocenerine players.
Coach Andrea Antonelli was obviously satisfied at the end of the home game: The girls played a very important match from all points of view (tactical, technical and competitive). Even the younger players who came on during the game gave us a big hand. Overall, it's hard to find anything that didn't work. We can only congratulate the girls. The match against Oerlikon will be complicated because the Zurich team is organised and physical. However, this victory gives us confidence and boosts our morale. It will therefore be a little 'easier' to prepare for this away match during the week. The team I saw gives me hope for the matches that await us in the coming weeks.
The numbers confirm the merit of the victory: 24 shots in total to 12 (including 13 to 6 on target) for the Bianconere, who had 8 corners to the Geneva team's 3. This was despite the Romandes having slightly more possession (54% to 46%).
With this restart behind them and six smiles on their faces, Lugano Femminile - who consolidate their 7th place, climb to 20 points and pull away from their opponents, stuck on 17 - are now looking forward to their away match in Ticino, where they will face Oerlikon/Polizei ZH on Valentine's Day. The match is scheduled for 3 p.m. on Saturday, 14th February 2026.
MATCH REPORT
Women's National League B, Matchday 16
Cornaredo Stadium, Field F
FC LUGANO FEMMINILE - ÉTOILE CAROUGE FC 6:1 (3:0)
GOALS: 19' Gigante 1-0, 28' Andreoli 2-0, 43' Sasso 3-0, 53' Albertini 4-0, 56' Andreoli 5-0, 65' Zanaboni 6-0, 75' Lesaffre 6-1 (penalty).
FC LUGANO FEMMINILE (4-4-2): Enning; Bassi (66' Di Mauro), Colombo, Zanaboni, Nascimento Sa (86' Marchini Gattoni); Oliva, Crapanzano (46' Di Muro), Albertini (66' Gianotti), Gigante; Sasso, Andreoli (86' Gorza).
Substitutes: Audrino, Castellani.
Coach: Andrea Antonelli.
ÉTOILE CAROUGE FC (4-3-3): Fortis; Grao (75' Belarbi), Ben Mohamed, Bocchieri, Lopes; Martínez, Grivaz, Recimil Magarinos (60' Hammi); Mega, Bonanno, Jean-Louis (46' Lesaffre).
Substitutes: Moinet.
Manager: Diogo Abade.
REFEREE: Christoph Thurmaler.
Assistant referees: Mehmet Ali Öztürk and Hakan Erdöl.