FC Lugano improve after the break to win against Grasshoppers. Uran Bislimi scores in stoppage time to make it 2:1 against Zurich, who were only on a par for one half.
20.07.2024, 20:25
20.07.2024, 20:26
SDA
The fact that FC Lugano is probably the first challenger to champions YB this season on paper was only shown on the pitch after the break. While Mattia Croci-Torti's team had little to play for in the first half, one attack after another rolled towards the GC goal later on. Zurich were lucky for a long time that goalkeeper Justin Hammel made numerous strong saves.
But the ball still ended up in the net twice: in the 61st minute, Kacper Przybylko, who had just come on as a substitute, scored and in stoppage time, Bislimi crowned a swiftly executed attack with a late but deserved second goal for the Ticino side.
Even though GC remained without points, there are one or two positives that coach Marco Schällibaum can take from their first appearance of the season. The first half was convincing. Giotto Morandi's penalty - his first goal of the new season - gave GC a deserved 1-0 lead after 25 minutes, and young Nikolas Muci showed good promise up front. The Swiss U21 international almost scored after just 80 seconds, but Lugano keeper Amir Saipi was on the spot.
Telegram:
Lugano - Grasshoppers 2:1 (0:1)
3316 spectators. - SR Schnyder. - Goals: 25. Morandi (penalty) 0:1. 61. Przybylko 1:1. 92. Bislimi (Mahou) 2:1.
Lugano: Saipi; Brault-Guillard, Mai (68. Papadopoulos), El Wafi, Valenzuela; Mahmoud (46. Grgic), Doumbia; Cimignani (59. Przybylko), Bislimi, Bottani (79. Daniel Dos Santos); Aliseda (68. Mahou).
Grasshoppers: Hammel; Abels (88. Ndicka), Tobers, Decarli, Paskotsi; Abrashi (62. Ndenge), Seko; Mabil (73. Maurin), Morandi, Schürpf (62. de Carvalho); Muci (62. Asumah Abubakar).
Remarks: Cautions: 22nd Cimignani, 24th Mai, 56th Morandi, 77th Maurin, 93rd Bislimi.
