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Ignacio Aliseda (18th) and Hadj Mahmoud (33rd) sealed Bern’s victory in Ticino with their goals in the first half. The Young Boys were unable to capitalize on their scoring chances.
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The game at Cornaredo is a duel between two teams that were involved at European level during the week: Lugano beat Mlada Boleslav in the Czech Republic 2-0 in the UEFA Conference Series on Thursday; YB got Inter Milan in the Champions League the day before and lost 1-0 after a very good performance.
Joël Magnin, the Bernese coach, changed his team in seven positions compared to the match against the Italians. Only David von Ballmoos, Captain Loris Benito, Filip Ugrinic and Joël Monteiro are back in the starting line-up. Sandro Lauper is missing due to suspension, while Anel Husic takes up his role in central defence. In Ticino, the next success in the Super League should be aimed for eight days after the 2-1 home win against Lucerne.
However, the game does not start well. In the 11th minute, Von Ballmoos was able to save against Renato Steffen. But seven minutes later he is powerless. Ignacio Aliseda puts Lugano ahead with a precise low shot from 16 meters.
YB reacts with two good chances. A shot from Darian Males misses the left post (22nd), Joël Monteiro gets stuck on the goalkeeper Amir Saipi (26th) and misses the potential equalizer in this urgent phase. Lugano, however, works more efficiently. After 33 minutes, Aliseda enters the penalty area on the left side. Hadj Mahmoud converted his cross to make it 2-0. Kacper Przybylko finally has his third goal on his feet. This time the ball flies over the right post (45.)
“We have to be more consistent, more aggressive in the duels and I believe more strongly that we can get something here,” says Loris Benito during the break. Joël Magnin makes two changes for the second half. Jaouen Hadjam replaced Abdu Conté at left back, Lukasz Lakomy now play in the middle of the field instead of Cheikh Niasse. And in the 57th minute he sent two fresh offensive players onto the field. Meschack Elia and Joël Monteiro make way for Silvere Ganvoula and Alan Virginius.
YB tries to score in front of 4,896 spectators, but fails, mainly because of Saipi. The goalkeeper saved a header from Itten in the 72nd minute with a strong reflex. The best chance remains for the visitors, who remain 10th in the table after this win. “Lugano acted smartly after the two goals,” says Cedric Itten, “we didn’t manage to react to it because the opponent’s foot kept getting in the way – or the goalkeeper’s arm.”
The Young Boys continue on Wednesday with the 12th Super League round. They welcome FC Basel at the Wankdorf Stadium (8:30 pm).
No points in Lugano: Itten in a duel with Lugano defender Mai. (Photo: freshfocus)
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