It took a stroke of genius to put the decisive stamp on this game, which was largely unspectacular. Lugano’s Shkelqim Vladi was worried for him shortly before the break: with a fantastic finish that was intentionally circled through the legs of Lucerne defender Jesper Löfgren, the Kosovar player made it 1-0 (40th minute), Lucerne goalie Pascal Loretz had no chance.
The people of Lucerne did not let the setback deter them, also thanks to a loud audience behind them. Shortly after the break, Jakub Kadak, who had just been substituted, was able to unexpectedly take over the ball on the edge of the penalty area after Anto Grgic stumbled, but Lugano keeper Amir Saipi skillfully parried his shot with one arm.
With 20 minutes to go, Pius Dorn was somewhat lucky to get the ball after a commotion in the Ticino penalty area and thus had another great chance: almost the entire goal was open, but his shot got stuck on Saipi’s lone leg.
Saipi booed, Steffen disenchanted
Otherwise, the majority of Lucerne residents remained harmless. As a result, Saipi was only the focus of attention for his extremely slow kicks, which each earned him a shrill whistle from the Lucerne team.
The Lugano offensive, for its part, also no longer had much of an impact. It wasn’t until stoppage time that Joker Renato Steffen failed with a shot past the brilliantly reacting Loretz – the Nati striker’s frustration was great, but unfounded from a technical result perspective.
Thanks to the 1-0 win, Lugano clinched their third competitive win in a row, just above the line in the important duel. Thanks to the 3 points, Luganesi climb from 5th to 3rd place and continue to keep seventh-placed Winterthur at a distance.
This is how it continues
The next away game for Lugano is next Saturday: the Ticino team will play FC St. Gallen in eastern Switzerland. Lucerne is also competing abroad and will face bottom team Stade-Lausanne-Ouchy on Sunday.