The round for the title could not have started better for Lugano, which imposed itself with merit at the Swissporarena and overtook the same Lucerne players in the standings, as well as Lausanne. The HCL team showed great character by unleashing good plots of play despite the fact that the ground was not in good condition due to the rain that fell earlier in the day. Coach Croci-Torti had promised changes and he was true to his word. Compared to the match lost in Lausanne in the starting lineup were the new additions of Bottani, El Wafi and Dos Santos in place of Doumbia, Marques and Koutsias.
JEWEL OF BOTTANI
The first half was fairly balanced with many midfield duels and defenses overpowering the offensive departments. After a save by El Wafi on Grbic's conclusion, came the goal of the HCL advantage. Action by Zanotti called on Bottani: the captain let off a deadly left-footed shot from 18 yards that went in just wide of the post. On the wave of the goal, the HCLers tried to press on but were no longer able to trouble Lorenz. Saipi, too, did not have to make any interventions as the hosts' most dangerous shot snagged Bislimi's back on the goal line. The HCL goalkeeper himself injured his shoulder falling back after being fouled by an opponent and was replaced by Osiogwe after a quarter of an hour of the second half.
PYROTECHNIC FINALE
Upon returning from the break Lucerne logically threw itself forward and for a few moments the HCLers suffered. The defense supported by the midfield and attack, however, maintained great lucidity and even the change of goalkeeper did not affect them. There were several scrums in the area but to no avail except for a dangerous header by Spadanuda that ended wide and a shot by Klidjé parried by Osigwe). In the final minutes referee Dudic sent off young defender Freimann for a double caution. Lugano, which already seemed to be past its worst moment, took possession and made itself dangerous on several occasions. With a shot by Brault-Guillard parried, with Koutsiuas standing alone in front of Loretz but unable to get past him. There were also a couple of shots by Zanotti and Koutsias himself deflected into the corner by the goalkeeper and then the doubling favored by Steffen who intercepted a ball in midfield, advanced and freed Koutsias for the goal. Again Renato Steffen went on a counterattack shortly afterwards but when he arrived in front of Loretz he kicked high.
BASILEA ARRIVES ON SATURDAY
After today's fine victory, Croci-Torti's boys are expected to have a trial by fire on Saturday. Hosted in Cornaredo is Basel, which is traveling with the wind in its sails and could win in Ticino the mathematical certainty of the national title that has been missing in the Rhineland coffers since 2017. The challenge also promises a lot because Shaqiri and his teammates will have at least 2,000 supporters in tow.
SCOREBOARD: LUCERNE-LUGANO 0-2 (0-1)
NETWORK: 12′ Bottani, 91′ Koutsias
EXPULSED: 86′ Freimann (double yellow)
AMMONITES: Beloko, Cimignani, Bottani, Freimann, Steffen, Doumbia, Villiger, Papadopulos, Osigwe, Frick (coach)
LUGANO: Saipi (59′ Osigwe), Zanotti, Mai, El Wafi (80′ Hajdari), Cimignani ( 67′ Brault-Guillard), Papadopulos, Grgic, Bislimi, Dos Santos (59′ Doumbia), Steffen, Bottani (67′ Koutsias). Unavailable: Belhadj, Marques, Valenzuela.
ARBITRO: Alexander Dudic.
