In the framework of the 29th day of the Hoval Promotion League, Lugano U21 travels to Basel to face the young confederate headers. At the end of ninety minutes of play, the result of 0-2 (0-1) smiles on the bianconeri, whose victory is packed by the seals of Yassin Sbai (14′) and David Piffero (82′).
THE LIST OF ABSENTEES GROWS LONGER
To the long-suffering Johann Angstmann, Boris Babić, Giovanni D'Agostino and Luca Molino, coach Andrea Vitali embarks on the delicate trip to the banks of the Rhine without being able to count on the support of central defender Lendrit Shala. In his place, compatriot Dion Dermaku returns to lead the backline. This is the only change in the HCL starting eleven, confirmed for the remaining ten elements compared to the bitter home draw with the Bavois Vaudois. The attack is notably led by former Yannis Ryter.
THE SUN WELCOMES THE TWO CONTENDERS
Unlike the weather in the Ticino latitudes, which is characterized by rain and autumn temperatures, the weather in Canton Basel is decidedly more clement, and the two teams duel under sunshine more in keeping with the current spring period. The early stages of the competition turn out to be essentially balanced. Both contenders try to show their qualities in the phase through quick transitions, promptly nipped in the bud. On the tenth lap, the guests create an early chance to unlock the result. Served vertically by Ryter, David Piffero controls and crosses into the center for the onrushing Yassin Sbai. The #11 tries a right-footed conclusion, failing to get a good grip on the inviting ball.
SCORE CHANGED IN THE FIRST THIRD
The zero-zero situation remains so until minute fourteen, when a prolonged action allows the subcenerini to open the scoring. Ilija Maslarov is dogged in recovering the ball on the twenty meters and, after a quick one-two with Piffero, he extends on the right for Damiano Plisko. His cross is pushed back to the feet of Felipe Ronchetti, who for his part sees Sbai free on his left. The offensive outfielder is quick to kick to the nearest cross of the posts, leaving Tim Spycher no chance. The positive attitude is thus rewarded with this goal. It threatens to be compromised three hundred seconds later, when Kanga Akalé goes close to putting the contest back on even footing, hitting a full post.
TWO MORE CHANCES IN QUICK SUCCESSION
Overcoming the scare, the Bianconeri continued their well-thought-out maneuvering and in the 26th created two important opportunities to increase their haul. An unleashed Plisko assists Ronchetti with the counter, who instinctively kicks from the penalty spot. His attempt, however, is central and easy for Spycher to read. The young Rhineland defender subsequently countered with difficulty and with his feet to Sbai's low shot. High concentration ensured that no further danger was posed until Antoine Lehmann's double whistle, while at the same time arriving to procure another unfinalized one by a matter of centimeters.
IN STRENUOUS DEFENSE OF THE SLIGHTEST ADVANTAGE
As Lugano returned to the field without any changes to their set-up, Mario Cantaluppi inserted two fresh forces to try to get back into the game. In the 48th minute, intentions threatened to materialize with the insertion of newcomer Noah Streit bricked by the rearguard. The confederates then took over the course of operations, installing themselves in a very dense opposing half of the field. Streit again, free from any marking, set himself up with a diagonal shot directed into the "seven" and out by a little. For his part, Akalé frames the mirror, but Diego Mina responds by presenting a splendid reaction.
A GANGLY RESPONSE TO PRESSURE
In this second half of the match, the red-blues try in every way to inflate the net. The response provided by Romeo Morandi and his teammates is epic and allows them to overcome any moment of difficulty by jousting as one unit with no difference between defenders, midfielders and forwards. With thoughts of coming out of their own third to offer exclusively quick frontline reversals (only the flag of second assistant Jonathan Collaud - raised perhaps slightly early - denies Ryter the joy of the double), the interest is all in preserving a success of fundamental importance for the remaining league games. The final smile, after the top of the crossbar hit by Miquel Juanola I Pastoret, came in the 82nd, when Piffero - assisted by Sbai and the veil of Niccolò Spinelli, who had been on the pitch for a few moments - made a precise left-footed half-volley from inside the area, effectively handing the full post to the second Lugano team.
THE RANKING SITUATION CHANGES LIKE THIS
The three valuable points obtained with strength in Rhine territory increase the young HCL players' season haul to 29 points. Although the position is still eighteenth and last, the distance to the opponents is significantly reduced. The draw in the direct clash between Bavois and Baden brings the Ticinese within one length of the Vaudois and two of the Aargavians. Also in the fight to keep their category is Zurich U21, stuck at 30 after being overtaken by Rapperswil-Jona.
NEXT "FIERY" DATE
On Saturday, April 26, 2025, the home facility at the Al Maglio Sports Center in Canobbio will be colored black-and-white on one side and green-and-white on the other. Starting at 3 p.m., a very warm derby between Lugano U21 and Paradiso is expected.
COACH VITALI'S ANALYSIS: 'LAUNCHED A GOOD SIGNAL'
"The first half was the best since I have been here. The team created three-four clean, clear chances, conceding only one to the Rhinelanders. On the inside post I admit we were lucky. In the second half we dropped a bit physically and tried to manage the various moments. The second goal then gave us the certainty of winning the full post. To close the challenge without conceding goals is pleasing. In an "in or out" situation like ours, a good signal was given. So congratulations to the boys, who took the field with the right attitude.".
FC BASEL 1893 U21-FC LUGANO U21 0-2 (0-1)
Sportanlage Nachwuchs-Campus, Münchenstein, 150 spectators.
Networks: 14′ Sbai 0-1, 82′ Piffero 0-2.
Admonished: 69′ Casadei, 77′ Ryter, 83′ Piffero, 90′ +4′ Okafor.
FC Basel 1893 U21: Spycher; Senaya (62′ Ismaili), Schweizer, Asiedu, Vogel (30′ Juanola I Pastoret); Pepsi, Xhemalija (46′ Streit), Casadei; Rexhaj (46′ Sow), Zé, Akalé (80′ Kanouté). Coach: Cantaluppi.
FC Lugano U21: Mina; Gamba, Maccoppi, Dermaku; Plisko (59′ Okafor), Morandi, Ronchetti (58′ Pizzagalli), Maslarov; Sbai (89′ Salvadore), Ryter (79′ Spinelli), Piffero (89′ Radić). Coach: Vitali.
Referee: Lehmann. Assistants: Marison and Collaud,
