The Brack Super League starts again after the break for the national teams, with the confrontation between FC Thun and FC Lugano at the Stockhorn Arena. On Saturday night at 8.30 pm, the Bianconeri are back on the field to face the leading team, revelation formation of the season and already able to impose itself at Cornaredo during the first day last 27th July.
A game that arrives in a positive moment for Lugano and that allows to observe the league standings with the right perspective: the Bernese lead with 31 points, while the Bianconeri chase at 19 with a game to recover.
It is in this framework that the mental theme mentioned by Mattia Croci Torti in the press conference is inserted: not a simple direct confrontation, but an occasion to shorten the league standings and to put back into play scenarios that a few weeks ago seemed more distant. "That is our only goal," explained the coach. "From Monday we only think about this: minus twelve points or minus six. It's a simple but clear objective that accompanies us every day in training. We want to win and get fully back on track, and the whole team has this thought in their heads."
A THUN MERITATELY FIRST
To reduce Thun's path to the "fairy tale" narrative would be a simplification. Lugano does not do that, and Croci Torti made it clear: "We analysed every detail to understand why Thun is deservedly first in the league table. They have quality in set pieces, experienced players and above all an enormous hunger."
Mauro Lustrinelli - from Ticino, esteemed and considered together with Croci Torti himself among the best coaches of the canton - has built a solid collective, with balance and identity. The results confirm this: six matches without defeat and only two defeats throughout the season.
The comparison between Croci Torti and Lustrinelli inevitably adds an interesting subtext: two Ticino coaches, esteemed, with clear ideas and a strong identity on a human and professional level. "I have a lot of respect for Lustrinelli: he has a precise idea of football and a personality that he manages to convey to his players. I am happy when Ticino coaches do well,' said Croci Torti.
A HEALTHY LUGANO
Lugano, on its side, arrives at the Stockhorn Arena strong with five victories in the last six games, with an evident growth in both game phases. The team is more brilliant, more continuous and more solid: "The legs are turning, and when the legs are going everything becomes easier, at technical and tactical level. The team runs until the 90th minute and concedes very little,' underlined Croci Torti.
DOS SANTOS AND THE RETURN FROM EX
Next to the coach was Daniel Dos Santos, ex of the match and one of the protagonists of the HCL moment. Goals, assists and decisive accelerations have directly contributed to the recent results. The bianconeri number 27, who spoke in conference, expressed himself with balance and awareness: "Fear of losing importance on the pitch when Steffen returns? No. I know my qualities and I am happy if he returns: the more players with important statistics we have, the better it is for the team."
Concerning the passage from Thun to Lugano, he avoided simplistic comparisons: "I just try to put on the field the coach's indications. Not much changes between Super League and Challenge League: Lugano is a familiar environment, just like Thun was."
Not a challenge that will address the season permanently, as we are still in November, but certainly a very important match to measure the moment of both teams.
The match is scheduled for Saturday at 20:30 at the Stockhorn Arena.
A game that arrives at the right moment to evaluate Lugano's path: a victory would allow Lugano to get sensibly closer to Thun, while a negative result would widen the distance. The verdict - as always - will be given by the field.
STEFFEN, THE COME BACK IS APPROACHING
From the infirmary some positive news for Renato Steffen: the HCL winger is already partially training with the team and from Sunday he will be 100% integrated in the work with the group. Also Ezgjan Alioski continues his rehabilitation path and for him a new medical check-up is scheduled soon. Mattia Bottani, on the other hand, will undergo a control MRI in the next few hours to assess the recovery from the sports hernia, while David von Ballmoos continues regularly with his combined physiotherapy and gym programme.
TRAVELLING TO THUN IN A GREENER WAY
On the occasion of the trip to the Stockhorn Arena, HCL fans can take advantage of the brand new nationalcar pooling platform. An initiative that makes it possible to share the journey with other supporters, reduce emissions and experience the approach to the match in company.