Since 2015 Lugano and Lausanne have faced each other 24 times but on only two occasions have they drawn and always in Cornaredo. The one that came out on Sunday is therefore the first tie result on Vaud soil in 14 meetings to date. A 1-1 more than deserved for a team that was coming from two difficult matches and that is not going through the best moment of the season on the psychological level. But the reaction was there and it was important despite the absences of elements such as Steffen, Zanotti, Mai, Bislimi, Belhadj and Saipi.
MATCH NUMBER 37 IN TASFERTA
At the final whistle, the HCL coach acknowledged that it was a valuable point "we jumped up in the standings and are fourth. We came from two games in which we had conceded nine goals; I spoke to the team before today's match and stressed that this was away game number 37 in the season, practically like an entire league played away from home. I added that it was normal then to have this mental and physical fatigue, but that we should not suffer the situation but react and not give up."
NO ONE WANTED TO GIVE UP
"We had to play differently than usual to be able to snatch at least a point; it was a test of pride. We had numerous absentees and even today someone just before the start had to be called off. But we didn't want to give up, everyone put in great determination even those who were coming back from injuries and who definitely didn't have that amount of minutes in their legs, I'm thinking of people like Aliseda and Mahou who wanted to be there at all costs to help the team."
POINT THAT IS GOOD FOR THE HEAD
"Let's take this point, which is good for the head and makes us prepare for the last game of the season with the knowledge that we are there to still play for Europe. It may not be the result everyone dreamed of, but it is an important goal for our club and so we will have to prepare even better."
A PENALTY NOT SEEN BY VAR
-A fragile team could have completely collapsed after going down for the umpteenth time, but instead you had the strength to restart and continue to put forward your game?
"That's what we had to do today despite adversity always react, never give up. In the second half Lausanne put some pressure but they didn't have the situations that happened in the last games because each of my guys didn't give an inch. I am very happy and it should be noted that if VAR had helped us maybe we would have even gotten a second penalty in the final when the goalkeeper Letica hit Doumbia's foot. And maybe they would have come home with the three points."
IT WAS EASY TO LET GO
"We just have to look at the heart of the players: it was easy to let go, after the last two games we could have really collapsed. Instead what we did today on this synthetic is proof that the team cares about reaching the goal. Let me tell you that it was not an easy moment, and when at these junctures teams put their hearts into it, it means that the fans must be happy with what the guys did for this jersey."
ALL FOLLOWING THE TEAM
-Today you brought all the members of the roster to Lausanne, how come?
"In the last three years at the last game of the season I would bring everyone because it was the Cup final, a resounding goal. This year I wanted to make it clear that the goal that Lugano can achieve by finishing fourth is still something important to us and to the club. So it was necessary to show that we were a team and not to give up. The injured and disqualified and all the staff members also came. No one missed, it is a sign that we are honored as a team and a sign of great respect from the players for the jersey they wear."
YOU HAVE TO HAVE STRENGTH INSIDE
-How do you prepare for the last game against YB in Cornaredo while maintaining a smile this late afternoon?
"The smile has never been lacking, I am always the first to accept both moments of joy and sadness. Of course when you know you can do better and something is not going the way you want, it is not always easy. As I asked the team, however, precisely in these moments you must not get down, you must have a strength inside. I am the one who has to drag them and I will try to do that as long as I have the opportunity to sit on this bench."
