- FC Lugano lost 3-1 to FC Brugge in the Conference League.
- Shkelqim Vladi scored the only goal for FC Lugano with the interim goal (74th).
- This means Lugano loses in Group D for the first time and misses a big step towards the knockout phase.
- Servette narrowly missed out on their first win in the Europa League.
After the bitter 1:2 defeat against GC, FC Lugano had to play in Letzigrund again. This time, however, not away, but at the “home game” in the Conference League. But the Luganesi don’t really feel at home in Zurich. This was also due to the fact that the large number of Bruges supporters who had traveled there created a much better atmosphere than the Ticino fans.
Lugano also needed a bit of warm-up time against Bruges before they got going. It was only after more than 50 minutes had been played – at this point the score was already 0-2 for the guests – that the Swiss had their first real chances to score. A shot from Yanis Cimignani was parried by Simon Mignolet (55th), and a few minutes later Uran Bislimi hit the post with a header.
Vladi brings back hope
After 74 minutes, Lugano’s efforts bore fruit for the first time. After an insufficient defense by former Liverpool keeper Mignolet, Shkelqim Vladi reacted quickest and made it 1:2. Shortly afterwards, the referee withdrew a Lugano penalty after consulting VAR – and after Bruges captain Hans Vanaken scored 3-1, the game was decided.
Legend:
Couldn’t get through
Renato Steffen.
KEYSTONE/Ti-Press/Samuel Golay
In the first half, Brugge took the lead after a quarter of an hour through ex-Basel player Eder Balanta, who headed a cross from Philip Zinckernagel into the net. After the break, Andreas Skov Olsen doubled with a long-range shot – the deserved 2-0 at this point.
Missed the lead in the table
Due to the defeat, which was particularly deserved due to the proportion of the game in the first round, Lugano missed out on taking a big step towards the knockout phase. With still 4 points, the Ticino team are now in 3rd place because Bodö/Glimt won 3-1 against Besiktas Istanbul in the later game of the evening and has the better goal difference.
This is how it goes
Lugano leaves the unloved Letzigrund and meets the Bernese Young Boys in an actual home game in the Cornaredo on Sunday. The Conference League is on November 9th. then the away game in Bruges.