- In the 19th round of the Super League, FC Winterthur celebrates a 1-0 win over FC Lugano at home.
- Matteo Di Giusto scored the ultimately decisive goal with the break whistle.
- In the other Sunday games, FCZ Sion narrowly beats in the tourbillon and Lucerne and YB separate in a 1-1 draw.
When many fans had probably already left in the direction of the food and drink stands and most of the players on the pitch were probably already thinking about the break analysis, one person was still wide awake: Winterthur’s Matteo Di Giusto. The attacking player used some space on the edge of the box, fired a low shot and saw his shot find its way into the Lugano goal despite the bumpy pitch.
In the end it was the decisive scene of the game. Neither the home team nor the guests from Ticino managed to score another goal in the second half. As the game progressed, Winterthur retreated further and further into their own half of the field and made the spaces so narrow. Although Lugano had a lot of ball possession as a result, they could not use it.
Di Giusto in focus
FCW goalscorer Di Giusto was again the center of attention at the beginning of the second half. The 22-year-old was held back slightly by Milton Valenzuela and dropped at the touch. Referee Nico Gianforte, refereeing his only 3rd Super League game, immediately pointed to the point. However, before the execution became a fact, the VAR spoke up on the referee’s ear. After studying the video, Gianforte decided to take the whistle back.
A touch had certainly taken place, but a penalty shot would have been too hard. It would have been the chance for the promoted team to clear the game early on. In the end, however, the Winterthurers brought the win over time and celebrated their 5th win of the season – for the 4th time it was a 1-0.
Bottani flies off the field
In the long stoppage time, the frustrated Luganesi got on their nerves. Mattia Bottani saw the yellow-red card for a foul. Coach Mattia Croci-Torti was also so upset that the referee pushed the yellow cardboard under his nose.
Lugano’s form curve is pointing downwards – since the winter break there has been a win, a draw and a defeat in this order. The Ticino team had to give up second place to St. Gallen and a trio of Servette, Luzern and GC are lurking behind them to catch up.
Here’s how to proceed
For FC Winterthur, the supplementary game against Servette is on Wednesday. At the weekend it will then continue in the 20th round. Winterthur meets FC Zurich in the derby in Letzigrund on Sunday, Lugano hosts FC Luzern.