In the second match of the round for permanence in the National League B, FC Lugano Femminile wins with full merit with a result of 1-0 (1-0) over Winterthur. The decisive goal is scored by Mathilda Andreoli at 8′.
CONSTANT PRESSURE FROM THE KICKOFF
The week following the bitter setback in Küssnacht, the HCL girls approached the challenge with an excellent attitude and through constant pressure against their opponents. The just reward comes after just eight clock turns. Anaïs Fragnito started quickly on the left flank, was held back by Sara Murbach but continued her lone ball-and-goal action. Arriving at the end of the field, #16 crosses for Mathilda Andreoli, who is lurking in front of the goal and the author of a simple follow-up touch after Zurich's extreme defender Cheyenne Voit fails to intercept the ball.
IMPORTANT NEW OPPORTUNITIES UNTIL THE BREAK
Immediately unblocked, the Lugano women continued their offensive maneuver. After a header to the side by Elena van Niekerk, another one by Teresa Penzo was noted just high. Next, Chiara Audrino makes a decisive save with her feet on Désirée Meyer's attempt, while she is confident on van Niekerk's central diagonal. After that, it is Lugano the only team on the field. Between the twenty-fourth and the thirty-ninth, the notebooks are filled with numerous opportunities. The first - Voit's erroneous deflection and Melissa Colombo's interception -, by Andreoli, is bricked. The same author of the goal, launched vertically with the tally by Teresa Penzo, tries to strike again but Voit parries easily. It is in the 27th, however, that a huge chance is registered. An unleashed Andreoli reaches an impossible ball at the back and crosses for Fragnito, whose flat "shot" ends wide. The latter then went on her own with a deflected right-footer on the outside of the net and a conclusion from the edge touched with her fingertips by Voit.
START OF THE RESUMPTION WITH THE ONLY CHILLS RUN
The return from the quarter-hour break gives more vigor, at least partially, to the Tigurines. In the short span of sixty seconds, two shivers run down the backs of the hosts. First, it is a left-footed shot from the distance by Raika Toper that troubles Audrino, who deflects the ball over the upright. Then, it is Meyer who comes close to equalizing with a shot just wide of the post. Regaining control of operations, the Ticinese returned to jousting from where they had left off at Marko Jović's double whistle, that is, creating quality actions on repeat.
LOTS OF OFFENSIVE PRESENCE, NO OTHER PRIZES
The team led by Giorgio Fransioli tries to make even happier the many supporters who came to support them on side 2 of the Al Maglio Sports Center in Canobbio. So, in quick succession, Fragnito (header over the goalkeeper), Michelle Gigante (high conclusion from the distance), Penzo (central opportunity), Andreoli (rebound by Voit) and Giorgia Zanaboni (another rebound, but this time sideways, by the host extreme defender) make the audience present shout for a goal. It all happens between the 51st and 59th.
CONFEDERATES TRY, CAN'T FIND THE NET
A setting error by Neva Patocchi (the only one of her sumptuous game) shortly after the hour mark conceded the ball to van Niekerk. The best scorer in the category, however, finds a providential Audrino in her way. With a dozen minutes left in the duel, confirming the performance of absolute quality, Patocchi recovers on the same van Niekerk with a very clean slide in the center of the area. It then goes solicitously from one side of the pitch to the other, Fragnito committing Voit with a left-footed shot from the edge, before a confident save by Audrino on Chiara Rauso and a missed double in the ninety-second by Penzo, served at the second post by Colombo with a free kick from midfield.
THREE MORE POINTS AND A STEP UP IN THE STANDINGS
The full stakes won with absolute merit at home allows the subcenerinas to climb to 22 points and hoist themselves up to fifth place. The lead over Wil and Oerlikon/Polizei--due to the St. Gallenese's success--is now one length, while the lead over tail-end Solothurn--beaten with a poker by Küssnacht a/R--has increased from three to six points.
NEXT ENGAGEMENT AGAIN AGAINST A ZURICH
The third round of the decisive round for the preservation of the place in the cadet category will take place on Saturday, April 26, 2025 at 6 p.m. under the vaults of Neudorf in Zurich, "den" of Oerlikon/Polizei.
COACH FRANSIOLI'S WORDS...
...on the match: "What I wanted to see was a team rewarded for their hard work. We played a great game, even taking risks and playing aggressively from the very beginning. We definitely could have scored more, but when you don't concede you just need to seal one. And I, after such a performance, am really proud of my girls, who deserve all the affection that was here in Canobbio despite playing on the side court. It was important for them".
...on the signal given after the Küssnacht kappa: "If there is something I am 100% sure of, it is that my team has a huge heart. Against Winterthur it absolutely showed, and as I said, I am very proud Of all my girls".
...on the lavish performance of the central pair: "Neva Patocchi and Melissa Colombo did a great job. Neva had the task of man-marking Elena van Niekerk, the most prolific player in the category, limiting her to a half-shot on goal. Melissa had to spend herself venturing into the offensive half of the field. The two full-backs - Sara Di Mauro and Eleonora Castellani, as well as Team Ticino Femminile's Leila Bassi - also put several kilometers up and down the wing in their legs with some really important work".
...on the quality of the roster: "In addition to that possessed by the offensive trio composed of Mathilda Andreoli, Anaïs Fragnito and Teresa Penzo, quality is also present in the other players. If I look at the midfield - with Sabina Di Muro, Michelle Gigante and Giorgia Zanaboni, plus the fact that Antonella Albertini was out of action due to the two-day disqualification imposed on her after last week's direct red card - I am the first to say that it is a group of sublime quality".
