Same result, but different fortunes for the two Swiss teams involved in the league phase of the Conference League, which ended Thursday evening.
Lugano, although held in check by the Cypriots of Pafos (2-2), won its direct qualification for the round of 16 of the competition thanks to its 6th place. At the same time, Saint-Gall won an insufficient point on the lawn of Heidenheim (1-1), resident of the Bundesliga. The Brodeurs, only 29th, see their European adventure come to an end.
On the synthetic turf of the Stockhorn Arena in Thun, which once again sounded hollow (1,795 spectators announced), Lugano confirmed that it was currently playing with full confidence. The current leader of the Super League championship did not panic despite a completely botched start to the match. Pafos, who is also at the top of the Cypriot first division, hit the Ticino post by Pepe (4th), which provoked the autogoal from goalkeeper Amir Saipi (4th, 0-1) in the process.
Mattia Croci-Torti’s men, however, had no time to doubt. Two minutes after conceding the opener, the Bianconeri came back to the score thanks to an achievement by Belhadj Mahmoud (7th, 1-1). Shortly after the half hour mark, they took the lead with great success. Blocked by Mattia Zanotti, a Cypriot clearance returned directly to the feet of captain Mattia Bottani (33rd, 2-1), who only had to push the ball into the empty opposing net.
Nothing more was scored on the Oberland lawn… until the last second of the game and a furious header from David Goldar (95th, 2-2) synonymous with a Cypriot equalizer. With 13 units in six outings, Lugano has therefore ensured its presence in the round of 16 of the C4, which will be played on March 6 and 13, 2025.
This knockout phase, St. Gallen will not see it. Forced to win in order to hope to qualify for the play-offs of the competition (February 13 and 20), the Brodeurs achieved a small, bitter feat by holding the Germans of Heidenheim (1-1) in check on their lawn.
Manhandled and led after half an hour on a goal from Norman Theuerkauf (30th, 1-0), the team coached by Enrico Maassen did not give up and was finally rewarded for its efforts and, above all, for its good reaction in second period when Jozo Stanic (77th, 1-1) managed to equalize.
This draw, won against the 16th in the Bundesliga, nevertheless proved to be insufficient for the Germans. With five points on the clock, they are not among the top 24 teams in the Conference League league stage.
