On the eve of the match, HCL coach Mattia Croci-Torti had called Shaqiri unfailing and a player who always makes a difference. On the field, the prediction punctually came true. After a balanced first half, indeed with Lugano coming out on top, King Xherdan took the throne and practically single-handedly dragged his team to success with a spectacular hat trick.
REPARTEE
The start of the match was pyrotechnic. Lugano took the lead after 100 seconds with an action started by Mai, continued with a low center by Zanotti and closed in the net by Bislimi. The Baselese equalized two minutes later. There was a scramble after corner kick action with Ajeti picking up a rebound from Osigwe and slotting it under the crossbar.
EXPULSED AJETI
For the rest of the first half of the match it was the HCLers who showed the best things. Indeed, they arrived in the opponent's area on at least five or six occasions without, however, managing to get past goalkeeper Hitz. In order there were: a Steffen volleyed conclusion from the limit that came out just wide. A header by Papadopulos as well ended up wide. Then two parried Koutsias' conclusions and two more in the final, also by the Greek center forward, that were deflected or repelled by defenders. It should be noted that in 42′ Ajeti, who had already been cautioned committed another yellow foul and returned prematurely to the locker room.
THE LAW OF SHAIRI
In the second half, when numerical superiority could have allowed Lugano to push further toward the Basel area, Xherdan Shaqiri exploded. The star player scored three masterpiece goals in the space of just nine minutes and virtually sealed the contest. Further goals by Leroy and Grgic (penalty awarded by VAR for a clear foul on Macek) only gave the definite shape to the result.
THURSDAY IN GENEVA
With the title now awarded, the places that entitle them to the European cups remain to be awarded. Lugano on Thursday night will be engaged in Geneva (8:30 p.m.) while on Sunday 4:30 p.m. also away will face Lausanne.
TABLE: Lugano-Basel 2-5 (1-1)
NETS: 2′ Bislimi, 5′ Ajeti, 48′, 51′, 57′ Shaqiri, 60′ Leroy, 69′ Grgic (penalty).
SPECTATORS: 5’318
EXPULSED: 42′ Ajeti (double caution)
AMMONITES: Ajeti, Steffen, Brault-Guillard, and Zanotti.
LUGANO: Osigwe, Zanotti, Mai (54′ Brault-Guillard), Papadopoulos, Hajdari, El Wafi, (55′ Mahou) Grgic (75′ Aliseda), Bislimi, Steffen, Koutsias (79′ Vladi), Cimignani (55′ Macek). Unavailable: Bottani (disqualified), Belhadj, Marques and Saipi (injured).
ARBITRO: Alexander Dudic.
