FC Lugano faced Wil today in a friendly match played at the Collina d'Oro Sports Center, the last engagement before the official resumption of the season with the challenge against Basel, scheduled for Sunday, January 19, in Cornaredo. An intense match, which ended on the result of 2-2, which allowed the Bianconeri to test schemes and physical condition ahead of upcoming official appointments.
Formations and absences
Lugano came up with several rotations, fielding from the first minute: Saipi; Arigoni, Papadopoulos, Mai, El Wafi, Cimignani; Macek, Doumbia, Steffen, Aliseda and Koutsias.
Notable absentees due to injury include Marques, who is out for 6 to 8 weeks due to a medial ligament injury in his left knee, and Przybylko, who suffered a partial posterior cruciate ligament and anterior cruciate ligament injury. The timing of the number 93's recovery will be re-evaluated in the coming weeks.
Balanced first half
The match began immediately with a chance for Steffen in the 9th minute, but the Wil goalkeeper countered with a great save. The Wil responded a minute later with a dangerous combination between Maier and Ndau, but it was El Wafi To save the day.
The pace of the game dropped slightly, with the Wil distinguished by good ball possession. In the 12th minute, an insidious shot by the opposing number 25 goes just wide. Lugano tries to respond, but fails to materialize until the 30th minute, when Koutsias, served well by Steffen, once again finds the opposing goalkeeper ready to save the result.
The first half ended without any particular excitement, leaving the score standing at 0-0.
Lively second half
In the second half, Crosses-Twisted opts for several changes: enter Osigwe, Dos Santos, Belhadj, Hajdari, Mahou and Brault-Guillard, making room for new tactical solutions.
In the 51st minute, however, came the Wil's lead, with Abazi who from a close position beats Osigwe. The visiting team doubled in the 66th minute on a penalty kick, coolly converted by No. 24.
Lugano fought back and in the 72nd minute came close to scoring with Mahou, whose shot hit the post after a personal action. In the 75th minute, finally, the Bianconeri shortened the gap: Babic, well served by an action on the left, inserts for 2-1.
Babic himself took the lead a few minutes later, signing his personal double in the 77th minute with a precise shot into the box. The young striker continued to create danger, grazing the cross of the posts with a conclusion from the limit in the 79th minute.
A tie that gives useful pointers
The match ends on the 2-2, a result that leaves positive insights. The appointment is now set for Sunday, January 19 in Cornaredo, when Lugano hosts Basel in a crucial challenge for the resumption of the league.
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