The conclusion of the Hoval Promotion League's 2024-2025 competitive season is fast approaching, and there are still several milestones up for grabs for the various teams playing in the third league of Swiss ball.
AN APPOINTMENT NOT TO BE MISSED
With a positive spirit renewed by the external success achieved in Basel, Lugano U21 is ready to battle with the "cousins" of Paradiso inside the friendly green rectangle of the Maglio in Canobbio. The "X" hour of 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 26, 2025 is set and circled in red on the calendar for the start of what already promises to be a red-hot derby.
Given the forced break faced by the first team (in fact, the semifinals of the Swiss Cup will be played over the weekend), HCL fans are called upon to support our boys in these very important ninety minutes of play.
THE SITUATION OF THE CONTENDERS
When there are only five days left until the close of hostilities, the HCL second team occupies the 18th and last position with 29 points earned in as many games, the result of 7 wins, 8 draws and 14 defeats. The goals scored so far total 34 (fourth least prolific attack in the category), those conceded 46 (seventh most perforated defense).
The green-and-whites, on the other hand, rank 13th at 35, a haul earned through 9 wins, 8 stake splits and 12 setbacks. With 25 goals scored, the Lions possess the worst offensive department, while the 35 conceded place them third in the special ranking.
THE BALANCE BETWEEN HOME AND AWAY
So far, the HCL have been engaged in 14 rounds at home, winning a partial total of 16 points (4 wins, 4 draws and 6 losses). Through 17 goals scored and 20 conceded, the difference is -3.
Paradise, for its part, has scored 20 points in its 14 external challenges so far (5 wins, 5 draws and 4 knockouts). It has 11 goals to its credit and 9 goals to its detriment.
THE TWO BOMBERS IN DOUBLE FIGURES
The Lugano element with the most personal seals is Boris Babić. The 27-year-old forward, who has been in the pits for four matches after suffering an injury in the opening moments of the Lucerne trip, has "swelled" the opponent's goals on 10 shots. His opposite number Evan Rossier (22), on the other hand, has beaten the opposing defenders on 11 occasions.
THE SURE ABSENTEES
As for the young HCL players, none of the players cautioned during the challenge on Rhine soil were in the caution zone. Thus, with the exception of long-term injured Johann Angstmann and Giovanni D'Agostino, the rest of the squad will be available.
On the opposite front, the green-and-whites' ranks will be missing experienced midfielder Ezequiel Schelotto, who was cautioned against Young Boys U21 in the pre-Easter round for the fourth time this season and therefore suspended for an automatic shift. Again, the absentees will be the elements touched by muscle discomfort.
SEASONAL BENCH CHANGES
Started the championship with Sergio Zanetti as technical guide (18 points in 21 games, at an average of 0.86), Lugano U21 has since early March a new coach, Andrea Vitali (11 points in 8 games at an average of 1.38).
Paradise, on the other hand, experienced two changes on the bench. The start of the season was given to Giuseppe Sannino (10 points in 9 games, average of 1.11), who was succeeded in early October by Manuele Blasi (12 points in 14 matches, average of 0.86), while since March 18 Baldo Raineri (13 points in 6 appearances, average of 2.17) has led the group.
THE PRECEDENT OF THE FIRST ROUND
It was running on Saturday afternoon, November 30, 2024, when the two Ticino teams faced each other at the Pian Scairolo Field in Paradiso. To the immediate lead signed by Dominik Lechner (2′), the locals answered with a penalty by Oan Djorkaeff (5′), then inscribed the three-point goal by Evan Rossier (59′).
THE PREVIEW BY MISTER VITALI
"Within the group there is the right tension. Besides being an important game for salvation, we face our neighbors. And already this is a reason to perform well, especially in front of our audience.
Paradise is a very tough team in many ways: from the intensity of the running to the recovery of second balls in particular. It is then doing particularly well in this period, as it wins a lot without conceding goals.
It will undoubtedly be a different match than in Basel. The red-blacks let you play and concede more, the green-and-whites are much more direct and, an aspect not to be underestimated, they have a very grim defense. However, we will be ready to counter them and play our game.".
