FC Lugano concedes its first points of the season. Thibault Klidje changes the score from 1:2 to 3:2 for Luzern.
When Thibault Klidje was substituted in the 70th minute, there was no indication that a Luzern victory was in sight. The spectators at the Cornaredo were more likely wondering when the Bianconeri would finally score their overdue third goal. Chances were plentiful.
Klidje, who had saved a point for Luzano with a late goal against Grasshoppers two weeks ago, turned the course of the game on its head and punished the Ticino team, which had made nine changes from their European Cup match on Thursday, for their lack of efficiency. First, the striker from Togo redirected a precise cross from Nicky Beloko into the net to make it 2:2 (75). Just under fifteen minutes later, he scored the winner with a header from a corner taken by fellow substitute Aleksandar Stankovic.
FC Lugano will be frustrated by the two goals they conceded after the break. They were well on course after the first half: Hicham Mahou scored within three minutes to make it 1:0, and Shkelqim Vladi corrected the mistake of goalkeeper Amir Saipi with a goal just before the break to make it 2:1. Saipi had enabled Pius Dorn to score the equalizer 1:1 (12) with a poor clearance.
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Lugano – Luzern 2:3 (2:1)
Referee Dudic. – Goals: 3. Mahou (Steffen) 1:0. 12. Dorn (Karweina) 1:1. 43. Vladi 2:1. 74. Klidje (Beloko) 2:2. 88. Klidje (Stankovic) 2:3.
Lugano: Saipi; Brault-Guillard, Mai, Hajdari (46. Papadopoulos), Martim Marques; Doumbia, Grgic (79. Aliseda); Steffen, Daniel Dos Santos (74. Macek), Mahou (53. Cimignani); Vladi (53. Przybylko).
Luzern: Loretz; Ottiger (69. Spadanuda), Jaquez, Knezevic, Ciganiks; Dorn, Owusu (34. Stankovic), Beloko; Kadák (70. Klidje); Karweina (81. Ulrich), Villiger.
Bookings: 55. Ottiger, 60. Papadopoulos, 61. Dorn, 70. Mai.
Man of the Match
Thibault Klidjie (Luzern): Despite a very brief appearance, he decides the game with his double strike. (Commentator: Dani Wyler)
Post-Match Reactions
88.
74.
43.
38.
12.
3.
0.
Goodbye
That’s it from my side. Thank you for reading along and see you next time!
0.
Outlook
On Thursday at 20:30, FC Lugano will face Partizan Belgrade for a place in the Europa League qualification. Then on Sunday, there is the first round of the Cup against Brühl. FC Luzern will also face Mendrisio on Saturday, thus traveling to Ticino again.
0.
Table
Due to the defeat, FC Lugano falls back to fourth place. FC Luzern stands in sixth place, now just two points behind the Ticino team.
0.
Final Conclusion
FC Lugano had to start the second half without the injured Hajdari. The defender was replaced by Papadopoulos. The hosts went on to dominate the game and had significantly more ball possession. In the 68th minute, Dos Santos failed to score after a nice reception against Loretz. Two minutes later, Mario Frick substituted Thibault Klidje in for Luzern, who scored just four minutes later following a lovely assist from Beloko. The Luzern players believed again in victory and in the 88th minute, the 2:3 indeed fell. Again, it was Klidje, who this time succeeded with a header after a corner kick. Lugano then tried to push everyone forward again, but a goal did not come. Thus, the central Swiss team took three points from Ticino and handed Croci-Torti’s team their first league defeat.
90.+7.
Final Whistle
The match is over! Luzern turns the game around and wins an entertaining match 2:3.
90.+6.
A last free kick for Lugano. Steffen delivers the ball into the box from a distance and there Loretz is on the spot. This should be it.
90.+4.
Another opportunity for Lugano! Again, a cross from Steffen is at the origin. The ball comes to Marques, who fails to put any pressure on it from a good position.
90.+2.
Loretz gets to the ball before the rushing Cimignani and buys important seconds.
90.+1.
Injury Time
Five minutes will be added.
88.
Goal for FC Luzern, 2:3 by Thibault Klidje
Following a corner from Stankovic, Klidje heads the ball forcefully under the crossbar. FC Luzern has indeed managed to turn this game around.
87.
There is another corner for Lugano. This one is taken by Steffen and in the center, Cimignani heads but hits it straight at Loretz.
85.
The next chance belongs to the Luganesi. Aliseda takes a direct pass and shoots over the goal from inside the box.
84.
The traveling Luzern fans are currently providing the atmosphere in the Cornaredo. They still believe in a victory for their team.
81.
Substitution FC Luzern
Fourth substitution for FC Luzern. Ulrich comes on for Karweina.
80.
Good chance for Lugano. Macek arrives at a header after a cross from Brault-Guillard but fails to hit the target.
79.
Substitution FC Lugano
Fifth and final substitution for FC Lugano. Aliseda comes in for the closing stages, replacing Grgic.
78.
The Ticinesi appeal for a handball. In the replay, it is evident that this happened outside of the penalty area, thus it is not a case for VAR.
77.
The Luganesi become more active again and apply pressure in front of the Luzern penalty area. However, the defense holds strong and lets no one through.
74.
Goal for FC Luzern, 2:2 by Klidje
Luzern equalizes again! Beloko plays the ball from the left side while falling behind the defense, and the substitute Klidje just has to slot it in. Everything is open again here.
73.
Substitution FC Lugano
Lugano makes another substitution. Dos Santos goes off, and Macek comes on for him.
70.
Yellow Card, Lukas Mai (FC Lugano)
Spadanuda threatens and is only unfairly stopped by Mai. This results in a yellow card.
68.
Double Substitution FC Luzern
Along with a hydration break, there is also a double substitution for Luzern. Spadanuda and Klidje come on for Ottiger and Klidje.
66.
Next corner for Lugano. Villiger can only clear to Dos Santos, who fails with his shot from the air against the strong Loretz in goal.
64.
Cimignani manages to assert himself in the penalty area and attempts a shot through the legs of the opponent. However, this is seen through, and the ball is blocked.
61.
Yellow Card, Pius Dorn (FC Luzern)
Shortly after, Dorn comes in late against Doumbia and also sees the yellow card.
60.
Yellow Card, Antonios Papadopoulos (FC Lugano)
The substitute Papadopoulos fouls Karweina and is the first Luganesi to be booked.
59.
Steffen sees Grgic in front of the penalty area and plays him the ball. Grgic takes the ball a bit too far forward, and it goes in the other direction again.
57.
Lugano comes to a free kick from a semi-right position. Grgic delivers it into the box, and there a teammate is offside.
55.
Yellow Card, Severin Ottiger (FC Luzern)
Ottiger leaves the leg standing against Mai and receives the yellow card. It is the first card of the match.
53.
Double Substitution FC Lugano
With Vladi and Mahou departing the field, Przybylko and Cimignani enter.
52.
The ball is circulating among the Luzern players, but they are unable to create any goal-threatening opportunities at the moment. Lugano is pulling back a bit.
50.
Villiger gets to the ball in the penalty area. He seeks another pass, but the ball is deflected into the arms of Saipi.
48.
Can the Luzern players react to the counter-attack before the halftime break? The beginning of the second half is balanced.
46.
Second Half Kick-off
The ball starts rolling again in Cornaredo.
0.
Substitution FC Lugano
The hosts have to substitute at halftime. Hajdari, who took a hit to his hip before the interval, is replaced by Papadopoulos.
0.
Halftime Conclusion
Lugano coach Croci-Torti changes his team almost completely after the exhausting trip to Belgrade during the week, sending nine fresh players onto the field. This pays off early, as Mahou gives the Luganesi the lead in the third minute with a header from a perfect cross from Steffen to the far post. The Luzern players react to the setback and equalize in the twelfth minute through Dorn, who beats Saipi with a long-range shot. Eleven minutes later, Villiger should have scored 1:2 for Luzern. However, when he found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper, he chose to pass to the center, playing it into the back of Karweina instead. In the 34th minute, the guests are forced to substitute early, as Owusu must go off due to injury and is replaced by Stankovic. In the same minute, Dos Santos’s curled shot from a semi-left position hits the post. Just before the break, the Ticinesi restored their lead. Again, it is Steffen who prepares the goal with a fantastic cross to the far post. This time, Mahou lays it back for Vladi, who pushes the ball over the line.
45.+5.
End of 1st Half
Referee Dudic ends the first half. After 45 minutes, the score is 2:1 for the hosts.
45.+3.
The Ticinesi apply pressure within the minutes leading up to the break and are seeking to expand their lead. Steffen shoots from distance but misses the target.
45.+1.
Injury Time
Due to the two hydration breaks, the first half is extended by at least four minutes.
43.
Goal for FC Lugano, 2:1 by Shkelqim Vladi
There is the lead for FC Lugano again! The goal is practically a copy of the 1:0. Again Steffen crosses to the far post, and there Vladi pushes the ball over the line, following Mahou’s work.
42.
Fortunately, Kadak can continue shortly after.
40.
Doumbia falls in a duel with Kadak and hits him on the head. The Luzern player needs treatment, and the match is interrupted.
38.
For a long time, not much happened here, but then Dos Santos hits the post! With a curling shot from the left side, he narrowly misses the opening goal for the Luganesi.
36.
The match is briefly interrupted as Hajdari has injured himself in a challenge. After a short time, the Lugano defender is able to continue.
34.
Substitution FC Luzern
The Luzern players have to substitute early. Owusu seems to have gotten injured and is replaced by Stankovic.
33.
Again, the match is interrupted to allow the players a hydration break.
31.
Vladi is pushed away before the penalty area by Knezevic, but the referee’s whistle remains silent. That would have been a dangerous free kick position.
29.
The Luzern players are becoming increasingly involved in the game and are now the dominant team. Will they manage to turn the match around before halftime?
27.
Brault-Guillard just manages to clear before Beloko and consequently causes the next corner for FC Luzern. This, however, does not pose any danger.
25.
Kadak takes another corner for the Luzern team. However, this one comes too far and lands outside the penalty area.
23.
After an error in the buildup by the Luganesi, it quickly goes the other way. Villiger has only Saipi before him, but decides to pass to the running Karweina. However, the ball lands in his back, thus the opportunity to Villiger’s great annoyance is gone.
21.
Dos Santos lays back for Grgic, who attempts a shot from distance. However, a Luzern player stands in the way in the box and blocks the shot.
19.
The game resumes. We’re back to a throw-in for Lugano.
17.
It’s very hot in Lugano. To cool down a bit, the referee has interrupted for a short hydration break.
15.
Karweina is hit by Mai on the left side near the penalty area. There is a free kick for the Luzern players. They win their first corner from it.
12.
Goal for FC Luzern, 1:1 by Pius Dorn
There is already the equalizer for Luzern! Saipi’s throw lands directly with the opponent, and via Karweina, the ball reaches captain Pius Dorn. He shoots from distance and hits it with a powerful shot to the bottom left.
11.
The hosts get their first corner. Hajdari jumps highest but fails to direct his header on target.
9.
Villiger is sent through with a nice pass deep on the right side. However, his subsequent cross comes a bit too late; the ball had already crossed the line.
7.
Another dangerous cross from Steffen, but this time his teammate cannot get a shot off. The Luganesi continue to apply pressure.
5.
Steffen is fouled in the center circle by Owusu and earns a free kick.
3.
Goal for FC Lugano, 1:0 by Hicham Mahou
Vladi plays the ball back from the penalty area to Steffen, who crosses perfectly to Mahou, who finishes with his left foot at the far post. A dream start for Ticino!
1.
Saipi has to intervene early. After a weak backpass, he just gets to the ball before Karweina.
1.
Kick-off
Let’s go! The Luzern players kick-off and instantly lose the ball.
0.
Coming Up
The players are entering the field at Cornaredo. It can start in just a few moments.
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Referee
The match is officiated by Alessandro Dudic. The assistants are Vital Jobin and Mirco Bürgi.
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Head-to-Head
Last season, the two teams faced each other three times. Lugano won two matches, while Luzern was successful once. Overall, it is 48 to 40 in favor of FC Lugano, with 33 draws.
0.
FC Luzern Setup
Newcomer Donat Rrudhani is out for the Luzern team today due to injury. However, Severin Ottiger returns to the squad.
0.
FC Lugano Formation
Today’s starting eleven for the Luganesi has little in common with the one during the week in the Euro League qualifying. Only goalkeeper Saipi and Grgic start from the beginning once again.
0.
FC Luzern Form Status
The Luzern team started the season with a loss against Servette. The following week, they managed to grab a point against GC, and last week concluded with their first win against promoted Sion. Since February, Mario Frick’s team has been waiting to win two matches in a row again. Will they be able to accomplish this today against a strong Lugano?
0.
FC Lugano Form Status
The start of the new Super League season has been more than successful for the Ticinesi. After three matches, they remain unbeaten, which FC Lugano has never achieved before. In the Champions League qualification, they were defeated by Fenerbahce in two matches. However, in the first leg of the Europa League qualification against Partizan Belgrade, they won 0:1 away, so the chances of progressing look good. There is every indication that the Luganesi can confirm their strong previous season and also compete at the top again this season.