The 28th round of the Hoval Promotion League adds a point to the Lugano U21's meatpack, grabbed within the friendly walls of the Maglio in Canobbio against Bavois.
CHANGES IN THE STARTING ELEVEN
Given the third commitment in the short span of a week, coach Andrea Vitali opts for a number of changes in his team's starting line-up. Between the posts Diego Mina returns, in defense Nicola Gamba and Damiano Plisko resume their places, while in the neuralgic area of the ground Ilija Maslarov supports captain Andrea Maccoppi. The list of absentees-already full-bodied due to injuries to Johann Angstmann, Boris Babić and Giovanni D'Agostino-is thickened for the occasion with Luca Molino.
DOMINANT STARTUP, BUT NO PREMIUM
The first moments of the match saw the young bianconeri leading a constant initiative in the opponent's half of the field. Attempts by Yassin Sbai and Yannis Ryter in the opening three laps of the lancet are bricked by the HCL defenders. It was then Plisko's turn to try to trouble Maxime Brenet with a right-footed shot from distance. The trajectory of the conclusion is central and the Vaud extreme defender blocks the ball without particular problems. Next, it's Sbai who tries a left-footed shot on a side-footed free kick that goes over the crossbar.
ONE CHANCE PER SIDE AT THE TURN OF THE HALF-HOUR
Between the twenty-ninth and thirty-first, the challenge ignites with one opportunity on each side. First, Ayoub Ouhafsa does not impact as he would like an inviting assist on five meters. On the opposite side, David Piffero inserts excellently on Sbai's throw, advances toward the goal mirror that becomes narrower because of the providential exit of Brenet, who walls the home center forward's chance. Later, the top of the crossbar is grazed by Ouhafsa with a shot from close range. The last moment of note in the first half is Ryter's central free kick in the 45th.
NICCOLÒ SPINELLI'S BRIO FROM "FALSO NUEVE"
The first substitution made by the hosts coincides with Niccolò Spinelli entering the field in place of David Piffero. The number 10 thus jousts as a "false nueve" and after three minutes finds himself on the right the opportunity to change the starting score. A precise diagonal throw by Felipe Ronchetti finds Gianluca Pizzagalli on the wing. The offensive outfielder crosses for the newcomer who makes the crowd in attendance scream for goal. Unluckily, Brenet senses the will of the talented Lugano player and repels the powerful shot thanks to a perfectly timed exit. A high left-footer by the same Spinelli a few moments later is the next chance created by the Sottocenerini.
PINWHEEL OF CHANGES AND GROWTH OF BAVOIS
As often happens within soccer matches, towards the middle of the second half numerous substitutions take place to bring freshness and new alternatives to the various maneuvers. That of the Bekim Uka-led team particularly benefits, as the next thrills are precisely created by the Swiss-French. Initially, there is a Romanian protest for an intervention by Maslarov on Théo Rochat. Referee Henrik Karlsson lets it pass without whistling the requested penalty. After that, Mina responds present on Ouhafsa's conclusion and watches a right-footer from the limit by Ridge Mobulu end just wide of the post. Finally, in the 91st, a counterattack mockery was risked with a double opportunity signed Idriz Bega-Leonot Bajrami.
RANKING POSITION UNCHANGED
The division of the stakes maintains the three-length distance between Lugano U21 and Bavois, who have risen to 26 and 29, respectively. The HCLers' position is still 18th and last, the Vaudois' 17th. The winners of this round of matches are Baden (1-0 winners at Esp over Cham) and the Jurassians of Delémont (3-1 at home to Vevey), hoisted to 30 and 32 points. The Aargavians hook up with 15th-ranked Zurich U21, who fell 2-1 at Kleinfeld in Kriens.
EASTER EVE ON THE BANKS OF THE RENO
The sixth final day of the current competitive season will bring Lugano U21 to embark on an away trip to the banks of the Rhine to take on the young heads of Basel. The date is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 19, 2025 at the Sportanlage Nachwuchs-Campus in Münchenstein.
COACH VITALI'S ANALYSIS: 'IF YOU DON'T UNLOCK IT, EVERYTHING BECOMES ARDUOUS'
"The more time passed, the more we lacked confidence. When you can't unlock the score, the game becomes even more delicate than it was in the beginning. What we have to do is keep helping each other and stick together. Especially after these three close engagements. At the end, we were a bit tired, but the talk was more about mental, because, again, we couldn't score and get unblocked. The next date with Basel U21 will be very complicated. The Rhinelanders can count on several individualities that can change the meaning of a match in a flash. We, however, will go to the banks of the Rhine to play the role of the protagonists.".
FC LUGANO U21-FC BAVOIS 0-0
Al Maglio Sports Center, 100 spectators.
Admonished: 8′ Diallo, 57′ Pizzagalli, 58′ Gétaz, 65′ Ribeiro, 66′ Maccoppi.
FC Lugano U21: Mina; Plisko, Shala, Gamba; Pizzagalli (64′ Okafor), Maccoppi, Maslarov, Ronchetti; Sbai, Ryter (64′ Lechner), Piffero (46′ Spinelli). Coach: Vitali.
FC Bavois: Brenet; Rodrigues, Ivanov, Sarr; Diallo, Ribeiro (67′ Iseni), Mandaka (82′ Bajrami), Gétaz; Álvarez (67′ Rochat), Ouhafsa (82′ Begzadić), Mobulu (82′ Bega). Coach: Uka.
Referee: Karlsson. Assistants: Zihlmann and Ringeisen.
