- Servette defeated Lugano 2-1 in the 24th round of the Super League.
- After an early deficit, Miroslav Stevanovic and Bendeguz Bolla turned things around in the final phase.
- Lugano has to play outnumbered from the 75th minute and a red card against Anto Grgic.
The Servette fans had to be patient for a long time. They were only released in the 83rd minute. Miroslav Stevanovic was forgotten in the center after a cross from Dereck Kutesa and scored with a header to equalize 1-1. Just 3 minutes later, Dylan Bronn sniffed the lead, but his header hit the crossbar. In the 89th minute the score was 2-1. After Kreshnik Hajrizi fouled Jérémy Guillemenot, Bendeguz Bolla converted the penalty for a 2-1 win.
Grgic’s fatal sending off
The success and the late turnaround were well deserved. At the same time, Servette also benefited from a numerical advantage in the final quarter of an hour. In the 75th minute, Lugano’s Anto Grgic was shown the red card after a serious foul on Alexis Antunes. With one more man, the home team was able to exploit its superiority even more and convert it into something countable late on.
Lugano shocks Servette early
Servette started the game well and should have taken the lead early on. After a catastrophic mistake by Ayman El Wafi, Antunes was suddenly alone in front of the Lugano goal in the 3rd minute. Keeper Amir Saipi made a strong save on the striker’s shot, and Guillemenot didn’t get the ball into the goal even in the follow-up shot.
The Ticino team scored with their first opportunity in the 11th minute. Jonathan Sabbatini fought for the ball in the opposing half and it passed to Hadj Mahmoud. The midfielder didn’t hesitate and beat goalkeeper Joël Mall with a low shot into the left corner.
Geneva offensive with no luck in the end
Even after conceding a goal, the hosts remained in control of the game, but had a difficult time on the offensive against a compact Lugano defense. The next time it got really dangerous was in the 31st minute. Following a corner, Keigo Tsunemoto shot from the edge of the penalty area, and Saipi was again there with a strong save.
After the break, Lugano continued to hold up well and managed the lead successfully for a long time. Guillemenot missed a great chance to make it 1-1 in the 71st minute. A little later, Servette was also lucky when a header from Zan Celar hit the crossbar. Following this scene, Grgic was sent off the pitch for his foul. It was the starting signal for Geneva’s successful turnaround.
This is how it continues
Servette will be back in action in the Conference League on Thursday. Then Geneva has the playoff second leg against Ludogorets Razgrad on the program. The first leg ended 0-0. In the Super League, Servette will play away to champions Young Boys next Sunday. Lugano also continues next Sunday with the home game against FC Zurich.