After the break for national team commitments, FC Lugano returns to Cornaredo to face FC Zürich in the ninth day of the Brack Super League. The challenge, scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 18 at 8:30 p.m., marks the restart of the league and a new test for Croci-Torti's team, determined to give continuity to the progress shown in recent weeks.
Indeed, the HCLers arrive at the appointment on the strength of three consecutive useful results: the draw with Lausanne and the victories over Grasshopper and Winterthur have relaunched Lugano, now eighth in the standings with 10 points. On the other hand, Zurich, fifth with 13, will try to redeem itself after the derby defeat against Grasshopper before the break.
The two formations come to the confrontation after the break with similar situations: Lugano had to do without Alioski, Belhadj and Saipi, who were engaged with their respective national teams, while Zurich saw five players leave for their respective selections (Comenencia, Tsawa, Huber, Volken and Stork).
Cornaredo, where the bianconeri this season have earned two victories, a draw and only one defeat (on the first day against Thun), remains a certainty. In front of their own public, the group has always shown compactness and character, qualities that will be crucial to maintain the positive wake and attempt to catch up with their rivals in the standings.
Last year had told of a total balance between the two teams: one win on each side and one draw in the three season meetings. A precedent that suggests another balanced challenge, in which every detail may prove decisive.
THE WORDS OF CROCI-TORTI AND GRGIC
"Getting another positive result would give the group even more awareness of what they are doing," explained Mattia Croci-Torti on the eve of the challenge. "Zurich is a team that always tries to play soccer: it builds from the bottom, has quick outsides that often point to the man and tries to create superiority on one-on-ones. It will be crucial for us to maintain balance and intensity, because we will face a brave and capable opponent."
The HCL coach stressed his team's progress after the break: "We have worked well, especially on the physical aspect and the continuity of our game. At home we are regaining that solidity that has always distinguished us, and we want to take advantage of the boost in Cornaredo to follow up on our recent performances. The attitude will be the same as always: courage, compactness and the will to win."
Croci-Torti also dwelt on individuals and the contribution of Anto Grgic, the group's technical leader and penalty taker: "Anto is an extraordinary player in terms of vision and personality. He is generous, always thinking about making his teammates perform at their best, but he also has ballistic qualities that I would like to see him exploit more. On outside shots he has enormous potential: hopefully Bislimi and Cimignani's goals from outside the box against Winterthur were just the beginning of a series. And with Anto I have a small bet on free kicks-which I hope to lose soon," the coach smiled.
The Bianconeri number 8, fresh from 100 appearances in the club's jersey, confirmed the confidence of the coach and the group: "When positive results come everything changes: confidence grows, conviction increases and energy is created in the locker room. I try to help the team as much as I can, even on penalties or in decisive moments. But I know we can do even better and we want to prove it right away."
FC Lugano-FC Zurich kickoff on Saturday, Oct. 18 at 8:30 p.m. at Cornaredo Stadium.
KELVIN AND KENDOUCI AT WORK WITH THE TEAM
There are four unavailable for the challenge against the Tigurans. Ahmed Kendouci e Damian Kelvin continue the recovery process, and both have resumed training with the team. For Mattia Bottani continues the individual rehabilitation program.
As for Renato Steffen, during a checkup in the rehabilitation pathway, X-ray examinations he underwent showed a small compound fracture in the right sixth rib. According to specialists, the injury was in all likelihood already present following the September 17 incident during the match against FC Lausanne Sport, but it was initially not detected on either X-ray or CT scan, as the fracture appeared to be engaged. The first diagnosis was therefore revised. In light of the new report, Steffen will undertake a new round of rehabilitation with recovery time to be determined based on the evolution of the clinical and instrumental picture.