The fifteenth matchday of the Hoval Promotion League allowed Lugano U21 to remain unbeaten at home and, as a result of the 0-0 draw with Schaffhausen, extend their unbeaten run to four games in the latter part of the first half of the season.
The match, played on the artificial turf of the Al Maglio Sports Centre in Canobbio, was extremely balanced, as suggested by the goalless result. Neither side managed to make the difference, despite a few interesting opportunities that went unexploited. In the end, the young Bianconeri earned a draw through sacrifice and attitude, two key aspects for consistent development.
The afternoon in Ticino began with a run by David Piffero, whose cross from the left in the third minute found his teammate Rafael Frizzi in the centre of the box. The striker's attempt did not trouble Raphael Radtke and went well wide. Subsequently, the visitors tried to take control of the game through a long period of possession, culminating in a double chance in the ninth minute, first saved by Fotios Pseftis and then by Ilija Maslarov, who was decisive in sacrificing himself to block the Gialloneri's shot. The other side also tried to break the deadlock, but the density in the Rhine area was such that the various shots in quick succession were all blocked. The first half of the match ended without further excitement on either side.
After returning from the changing rooms, neither coach opted for one or more substitutions. And so, with the same twenty-two players, the match resumed. Unlike the first forty-five minutes, the hosts were more enterprising, raising their centre of gravity and looking for the space they needed to create dangerous chances. Of these, at least two were of a certain magnitude. In the 71st minute, Christian Raffa forced Radtke to deflect his diagonal shot from the edge of the box. In the 75th minute, a combination between substitute Jason Parente and a commendable Piffero (who played the last phase with a slight muscle injury) sent the #10 to shoot with his left foot, but the Schaffhausen goalkeeper made an excellent save, stretching to tip the ball away for a corner. The final moments, which saw the Sottocenerini very attentive in their marking and positioning on the counterattack, brought the match to the 95th minute, when referee Marc Mischler blew the final whistle.
"It's a point earned with great sacrifice and excellent attitude. We are happy with the performance, especially because we are at the end of the first half of the season, where the fatigue is starting to show. Between injuries, suspensions and illnesses (especially fever), we are experiencing some unusual situations. Nicolò Puddu, who was sidelined during the week, joined today's absentees. Like all teams, we also encounter these kinds of difficulties. However, the group always fights hard. And today was a positive day. The two strikers from the start? I had no choice because Jason Parente was feverish and I had no other alternative but to field David Piffero and Rafael Frizzi. It was almost a forced choice. The next match against Lausanne U21 is the worst we could have at the moment. I know the Vaudois and the fact that they play on a huge pitch like Tuilière. It will be a difficult match, made even more so by the long journey. We will prepare well as usual and then we'll see what happens,' commented coach Andrea Vitali after the 90th minute.
On Saturday 15 November 2025, starting at 4 p.m., Lugano U21 – who, thanks to the point they earned, are now on 19 points and firmly in 10th place – will be guests of Lausanne U21 at the Stade de la Tuilière for the penultimate match of the calendar year.
MATCH REPORT
Hoval Promotion League, Matchday 15
Centro Sportivo Al Maglio, Canobbio – 200 spectators
FC LUGANO U21 – FC SCHAFFHAUSEN 0:0
FC LUGANO U21 (3-4-1-2): Pseftis; Molino, Shala (66' Gecaj), Radić; Peverelli (84' Donnini), Amirzade, Maslarov, Shabanaj; Raffa; Piffero, Frizzi (63' Parente).
Substitutes: Gerosa, Angstmann, Lechner.
Coach: Andrea Vitali.
FC SCHAFFHAUSEN (4-1-4-1): Ratdke; Gloor, Soro, Hasani, Gegaj; Kulović; Del Toro, Istrefaj, Rizvić, Bachmann (84' Wetz); Marleku (73' Pejić).
Substitutes: Rüeger, Lenjani, Islami, Kralovec, Rutigliano.
Coach: Teodoro Palatella.
REFEREE: Marc Mischler.
ASSISTANTS: Nicolas Himmelspach and Kevin Berli.
BOOKINGS: 21' Bachmann, 49' Radić, 68' Peverelli, 70' Hasani, 88' Gecaj.