Lugano's high-flying run is halted at the Letzigrund. The Ticino side, superior for a long time, had to settle for a 1-1 draw against Grasshoppers.
31.01.2026, 22:46
31.01.2026, 22:47
SDA
The fact that they missed out on their sixth win in a row is likely to annoy Lugano for some time to come. The visitors missed numerous chances before and after Renato Steffen's opening goal in the 62nd minute - some of which were even reckless. For once, Kevin Behrens also failed to score after scoring five goals in four games.
The Zurich side hardly appeared in the opposition penalty area for a long time on striker Michael Frey's debut. It was only in the final phase that the home team stepped up and put the visitors under pressure, who had increasingly concentrated on holding on to their narrow lead. In the 85th minute, Samuel Krasniqi received the ball in the penalty area and shot with force into the far corner of the goal. It was the 21-year-old's first Super League goal.
This put the brakes on Lugano's comeback. Coach Mattia Croci-Torti's team are now six points behind leaders Thun, who face Basel on Sunday. There are also personnel concerns: winter signing Hannes Delcroix limped off the pitch injured after just ten minutes. With two central defenders - Antonios Papadopoulos and Lukas Mai - already out, midfielder Anto Grgic had to help out in defense.
Hadj Mahmoud, who was shown a straight red for a hard tackle in the closing stages, will also miss several games. A bitter evening for Lugano.
Telegram
Grasshoppers - Lugano 1:1 (0:0)
3228 spectators. - SR Gianforte. - Goals: 62nd Steffen 0:1. 85th Krasniqi (Jensen) 1:1.
Grasshoppers: Hammel; Abels, Diaby, Stroscio; Diarrassouba (60. Ullmann), Zvonarek (65. Meyer), Hassane, Krasniqi; Plange (60. Tsimba), Frey (83. Clemente), Jensen.
Lugano: Saipi; Zanotti, Kelvin, Delcroix (11. Mahmoud), Mahou (68. Brault-Guillard); Cimignani, Bislimi, Grgic, Daniel Dos Santos (84. Bottani); Steffen (84. Koutsias); Behrens.
Remarks: 89th red card against Mahmoud (rough foul). Cautions: 27th Diaby, 59th Behrens, 91st Zanotti, 93rd Jensen.
