There were 2 really worth seeing goals that brought Lugano the home win against Zurich. The Ticino also showed their variability, the goals could not have been more different. One of them was particularly magical: Captain Jonathan Sabbatini.
In the 23rd minute he found himself out of the defense third with a long ball Ignacio Aliseda on the left wing, just inside the opponent’s half. And actually provided a template: The Argentine picked up the pace, raced towards the FCZ goal, let Becir Omeragic get out with several climbers and then scored for the 1-0 lead.
Goal number 2 came in the second minute of added time in the first half, by Sabbatini himself. The starting point was the former FCZ midfielder Ousmane Doumbia, who first defended the ball strongly and then slipped away and served right winger Roman Macek. He showed overview, put the ball in the backcourt, where Aliseda let the better positioned Sabbatini through. The Uruguayan completed with a low shot.
Zurich in half 2 too little compelling
In the second half, FCZ coach Bo Henriksen brought on attacking midfielder Antonio Marchesano for striker Roko Simic – possibly knowing that the FCZ veteran has scored more goals against Lugano than against any other opponent in his career (7). In fact, the guests immediately had an upswing after the break. Cheick Conde (49′) and Jonathan Okita (52′) missed opportunities to score.
With a good start to the second half, however, it stayed for FCZ. The longer the game went on, the more confused it became. This played into the hands of Lugano, who were slightly the better team overall, but deserved the win with the better conversion of chances. And luckily, Aiyegun Tosin only hit the crossbar in the 14th minute. So it remained at 2-0 for Lugano, it is the 4th win in a row for the Ticino against Zurich, which in turn suffers its first defeat in 2023.
Here’s how to proceed
Lugano initially grabs third place from St. Gallen, but the eastern Swiss can do better on Sunday against Basel. FCZ remain in 8th place – and on Saturday at home against Lucerne in the 25th round they have the chance to collect points in the relegation battle. Lugano next plays at Servette on Sunday.