Imposing with the result of 2-0 (2-0) on the young headers of Young Boys, Lugano U21 secured with grit and determination the mathematical salvation in Hoval Promotion League.
TEAM THAT WINS DOESN'T CHANGE, EXCEPT BETWEEN THE POSTS
The valuable as well as dominant recent success in the Gruyère region of Fribourg against Bulle induced coach Andrea Vitali not to change the starting elements, with the exception of the extreme defender. Diego Mina thus gives way to Fotios Pseftis, who returned to the second team group after experiencing the last three Credit Suisse Super League matches from the bench due to the injury suffered by Amir Saipi. As happened in the challenges this May, the absentees for the final occasion turn out to be Johann Angstmann, Boris Babić, Giovanni D'Agostino, Dion Dermaku and Yassin Sbai.
START WITH VERY GOOD INTENTIONS, BUT A LITTLE FEARFUL
The challenge, already delicate in the preview phase, remains complicated especially in the first half hour due to a logical fear from which Andrea Maccoppi and his teammates, while trying to dictate the pace of the match, struggle to shake off. The high tension thus did not allow Luca Molino (left-footed shot to the side after ninety seconds), David Piffero (central turn in the seventh and hard-to-read shot-cross for Jasha Bracher in the twenty-fourth), Yannis Ryter (free kick from the "D" that grazed the upright in the seventeenth) and Arbnor Gecaj (framed shot that failed to give hole to in the twenty-ninth) to unlock the contention early.
FROM A THRILL COMES DOUBLE LOCAL LEAD
If the suggestion of yellow-and-white captain Jacques Bomo after about twenty minutes did not disturb Pseftis, Lutfi Dalipi's central insertion with following left-footed shot to the side by a notch sent the first real shiver down the backs of the hosts. Having overcome the risk of mockery, it comes to the 32nd and a long throw in the direction of Ryter. The #16, already the author of three consecutive doubles, rises to the forefront with a lightning-quick burst and an equally decisive and precise low shot that forcefully sails past Bracher. Being able to take the lead mentally freed the Lugano players, who kept their foot on the accelerator, finding in the forty-two minute the second center of the day. Ilija Maslarov's quality assist for Yuri Peverelli sends the 18-year-old to the winning conclusion. The high-class diagonal increased the lead to two at the ideal time of the match.
SHOOTING IN CONTROL AND A FEW MORE OPPORTUNITIES
The match is now channeled toward an HCL victory, and the second half is well managed by the team that has suffered so much throughout this season. The pinwheel of substitutions - in the end both leaders will make five changes each - shuffles the cards, but only from the point of view of the names of the players on the field. While the Bernese have nothing more to ask for and do not intend to spoil the party for the Sottocenerini, the latter try to cheer themselves and the many spectators who have arrived to support them once again. The chances happened to Ryter (dribbling in the sixteen meters and walled by the goalkeeper at the sixty-ninth), Gianluca Pizzagalli (right footer rebounded after a splendid progression on the left by Peverelli at the seventy-first) and Felipe Ronchetti (assisted with the tally by Niccolò Spinelli and caught at the last by an adversary) did not replenish a score that at the triple whistle of the match director Deborah Anex smiled with merit to Lugano U21.
FINAL STANDINGS DELIVER COVETED SALVATION
Chased for practically the entire season, the HCL youngsters' retention becomes official after the last ninety minutes of play. The 39 points won over the 34 days absolved hoist them to 15th place overall. Also finishing tied are Lucerne U21, Zurich U21 and Baden. The Aargavians, due to a worse goal-difference than the contenders, relegate to the First League Classic along with the Jurassians of Delémont, who finish in last place at 37 points.
A WELL-DESERVED VACATION AND FIRST TEST ALREADY SCHEDULED
The run-up to the season goal has finally ended with a series of smiles on the faces of the HCL boys, now awaiting a well-deserved break. Meanwhile, the first summer friendly - which has the flavor of a preparation "classic" - has already been scheduled. It will be played on Saturday, July 19, 2025 at 3:00 p.m. against the Zurich-based Young Fellows Juventus, a formation playing in Group 3 of the First Classic League, which in the coming days - having finished the league in second place - will play the playoffs for the ascension to the higher category (where, in case of success, it could find precisely the young players from Sottocenerino).
COACH VITALI'S FINAL ANALYSIS: "GREAT EMOTION"
"It is a great emotion, because it was a hard-fought salvation among all the contenders for it. We were convinced we could do it, and for that I give so many compliments to my boys, the real protagonists of this journey. The match was very delicate with a special atmosphere and very high tension. It's normal in situations like that when so much of your future is at stake. My balance sheet? We had the goal of preserving the category and I thank everyone, from the players to the technical staff, for the result, achieved thanks to the commitment of each of the members of the group".
FC LUGANO U21-BSC YOUNG BOYS U21 2-0 (2-0)
Al Maglio Sports Center, 200 spectators.
Networks: 32′ Ryter 1-0, 40′ Peverelli 2-0.
Admonished: 48′ Piffero, 56′ Maccoppi, 63′ Gecaj, 65′ Vitali, 72′ de Azevedo.
FC Lugano U21: Pseftis; Gamba (90′ +2′ Okafor), Gecaj (68′ Shala), Molino (90′ +2′ Plisko); Pizzagalli, Morandi, Maccoppi, Maslarov (84′ Ronchetti), Peverelli; Ryter (84′ Spinelli); Piffero. Coach: Vitali.
BSC Young Boys U21: Bracher; Souza (46′ Etoski), Thermoncy, Murith, Mambwa (74′ Ademi); Bomo, Tschanz; de Azevedo, Dalipi (74′ Raicević), Macumi (62′ Ceesay); Urbano (62′ Bejić). Coach: Magnin.
Referee: Anex. Assistants: König and Giulini.
