Spectacular draw against Cologne

During the retreat at Marbella, the Bianconeri faced a new high-level challenge, taking on the 1. FC Köln, a historic German soccer team. A match played in an unusual format of four 30-minute halves, which offered interesting insights and a chance to test the team's progress ahead of its return to the league.

Relive the match

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Unfortunately, there is immediately a sore point for the HCLs: Marques Is forced to leave the field of play due to injury. In his place takes over. Valenzuela, which immediately becomes the protagonist of offensive actions.

Missed opportunity for Valenzuela

In the 19th minute came Lugano's best chance. After excellent work on the flank by Cimignani, who outruns an opponent and masterfully serves Valenzuela, the Argentine found himself face-to-face with Schwäbe, but the Cologne goalkeeper managed to hypnotize him, denying the joy of goal.

Cologne dangerous in the final

Cologne looks on from the sides of Saipi only in the 28th minute, with a powerful but inaccurate shot by Ljubicic. The HCL goalkeeper clears without any problems, showing confidence between the posts.

Late in the first half, the Bianconeri had another great chance. El Wafi fishes with a precise pass the insertion of Bottani, whose shot grazed the crossbar, leaving fans with bated breath.

First half with untouched goals

After a short break, the teams returned to the field by reversing sides, but the Crus confirms the same eleven that had ended the first half. The Bianconeri immediately start with great intensity, showing their will to unlock the game.

Lugano double shot in four minutes

In the 6′ minute of the second half, the Bianconeri made themselves dangerous with a shot by Cimignani, blocked in two times by the German goalkeeper. The offensive pressure quickly pays off: in the eighth minute, Przybylko finds the goal with a shot from outside the box that mocks the Cologne goalkeeper, passing under his legs.

Only four minutes pass and it is still Cimignani to make himself the protagonist. The outfielder ended a splendid offensive plot by Lugano, bringing the score to 2-0 in the 12th minute. Two goals in quick succession that highlight the team's great moment of form and organization.

German reaction

In the 27th minute, a combination on the left flank between Paqarada e Maina leads to an opportunity for Downs, but the Lugano defense manages to thwart the danger by deflecting it into a corner kick. However, on the development of the corner, Cologne shortened the distance with a goal by Heintz, who sealed 2-1 just before the conclusion of the second of four halves.

After the first 60 minutes, the Crus completely revolutionizes the lineup, sending out a new team consisting of: Osigwe, Brault-Guillard, Papadopoulos, Hajdari, Arigoni; Belhadj, Bislims, Steffen; Mahou, Koutsias, Vladi.

With so many changes on both sides, the third half looks like a new beginning of sorts. It took the teams the first few minutes to find spaces on the field, without taking major risks.

Koutsias still in net

In the 19th minute, it is still Koutsias to make himself the protagonist, with a powerful shot that bends the hands of the opposing goalkeeper, bringing the score to 3-1 for Lugano.

Immediate reaction of the Cologne

As seen in previous times, the Cologne does not give up and reacts with determination. In just four minutes he turned the situation around, first with a goal by Sponsel and immediately afterwards with Tigges, bringing the score back into balance at 3-3.

The last 30 minutes begin on the score of 3-3, on a positive note: the return to the field of Aliseda, ready to regain confidence in the game after a period of stop.

A time without ringing

The last fraction flows without any particular excitement, with both teams more focused on avoiding mistakes rather than looking for the winning goal. Despite the absence of major chances, good patterns of play are seen on both sides, showing a tactical balance on the field.

Prominent among the few opportunities were a shot from outside the area by Bislims, and a header by Carstensen, which does not find the goal mirror.

A positive test for Lugano

The match thus ends on the result of 3-3, with all the goals concentrated in the middle phase of the match, between the second and third halves. Although the last half did not offer any further excitement, the boys of the Crus they put in another positive performance, showing excellent automatisms and progress in game patterns.

Upcoming appointments

Concluded the retreat in Marbella, the bianconeri will return to Lugano on the day tomorrow.

Thursday, January 16 there will be the last friendly of the preparation against Wil, before the return to the league, Sunday, January 19, when the Basel will be a guest at Cornaredo In a challenge that promises sparks.