A special evening, both on and off the pitch. The match between FC Lugano and FC Sion was played as part of Plan ₿ Match, an event dedicated to Leading Partner Lugano's Plan ₿, which transformed Cornaredo into a place of celebration and sharing for Bianconeri fans. Cornaredo enjoyed a good turnout during the evening, with many fans in the stands for the midweek match. Many also took part in the initiatives organised at the stadium, including photo booths with instant printing and drinks offered to fans thanks to Lugano's Plan ₿. A convivial and participatory atmosphere accompanied the Bianconeri on the pitch on an evening of great importance for the league table.
DISADVANTAGE AND REACTION
The start of the match immediately offered great opportunities. In the 7th minute, Lugano made the first attempt on Racioppi's goal: Papadopoulos collected the ball at the edge of the box and shot with his instep, grazing the post with a precise but slightly off-target shot.
Three minutes later, however, Sion took the lead with their first real attack. Surdez entered the area and, in a challenge with Kendouci, the referee awarded a penalty. Kabacalman kept his cool from 11 metres and put the Valais side ahead.
The Bianconeri's response was immediate. Just two minutes later, Lugano equalised with a fine move down the wing: Dos Santos started the move and found Zanotti on the left, the Italian winger put a cross into the box and after a series of rebounds, Steffen was quickest to react from close range, making it 1-1 almost immediately after falling behind.
The match then remained very balanced. The two teams faced each other cautiously, careful not to give away any space. The most dangerous chance at the end of the half came for Sion in the 42nd minute, when Nivokazi rose highest at the near post from a corner and narrowly missed the target.
The half-time score was 1-1, after two goals in quick succession in the first fifteen minutes and then few chances for either side.
BEHRENS TAKES THE LEAD The script did not
change much in the second half, but Lugano managed to strike at the right moment. In the 62nd minute, Dos Santos led a counterattack down the middle and found the newly entered Behrens, who had slipped between the defenders. The German striker kept his cool in front of Racioppi and beat him with his left foot to make it 2-1.
The Bianconeri gained confidence and came close to scoring a third goal ten minutes later. Grgić played a perfect long ball to Belhadj, who controlled it with his chest in the box and tried a right-footed shot from a tight angle: the shot was powerful and accurate, but went just wide.
In the final minutes, Sion tried to push forward in search of an equaliser, while Lugano carefully managed the space and defended their lead. Like the first half, the second half offered few big chances but remained intense until the last minute.
IMPORTANT VICTORY
At the final whistle, it is Lugano who celebrate: the Bianconeri take three important points on Plan ₿ Match night and immediately get back on track after their misstep in Zurich against Grasshopper.
However, there is no time to look back: the Brack Super League calendar allows no breaks, and Lugano will be back on the pitch on Saturday at Cornaredo, where FC Lucerne will arrive for a new football fixture in front of the Bianconeri fans.
MATCH REPORT
FC LUGANO – FC SION 2-1
Brack Super League – Matchday 28
4 March 2026 – Cornaredo Stadium
Spectators: 3128
Goalscorers: 10' Kabacalman, 12' Steffen, 62' Behrens
FC LUGANO (3-5-2): Saipi; Papadopoulos, Mai, Delcroix; Zanotti, Dos Santos, Grgić, Kendouci (58' Belhadj), Cimignani (92' Carbone); Steffen (81' Brault-Guillard), Koutsias (58' Behrens).
Substitutes: von Ballmoos, Kelvin, Pihlström, Mahou, Bottani.
Coach: Mattia Croci-Torti.
FC SION (4-3-3): Racioppi; Lavanchy, Hajrizaj, Kronig, Hefti; Berdayes (72' Kololli), Kabacalman (72' Llukes), Baltazar Costa; Lukembila (59' Chipperfield), Nivokazi (72' Boteli), Surdez (59' Chouaref).
Substitutes: Ruberto, Marquinhos Cipriano, Sow, Diack.
Coach: Didier Tholot.
Referee: Fedayi San
Assistant referees: Jonas Erni and Daniel von Känel
Fourth official: Mirel Turkes
VAR and AVAR: Michèle Schmölzer and Déborah Anex
Bookings: Koutsias (LUG), Surdez (SIO), Lavanchy (SIO), Dos Santos (LUG).