Conference League: A nightmarish trip to Serbia for Lugano!

FC Lugano conceded its first defeat in the Conference League league stage on Thursday. The Ticinese even lost heavily (4-1) at Backa Topola against FK TSC during the 3rd day.

Winners of their first two matches, Mattia Croci-Torti’s players hoped to continue their flawless performance against the current 9th in the Serbian championship. They quickly showed good intentions with an armed shot – but blocked by Steffen – in the opposing area by Dos Santos after less than 50 seconds of play.

However, things quickly deteriorated, Backa Topola monopolizing the ball in the first half hour thanks in particular to very high pressing. And the opening score fell in the 4th minute on a sumptuous half-volley from Petar Stanic which left Lugano goalkeeper Amir Saipi no chance.

FK TSC then had a series of clear chances. But Saipi vetoed it with two decisive saves on shots from Stanic and Ifet Dakovac in the 27th minute. And Lugano gradually got its head out of the water, with a first real opportunity – and a goal canceled for offside – in the 32nd.

But the co-leader of the Super League paid cash for his mistakes. A completely missed header by Hajdari allowed Milos Pantovic to make it 2-0 (59th). And the Luganese showed a guilty relaxation after the 2-1, scored by Hadj Mahmoud (61st): Stanic scored the 3-1 some seventy seconds later, arming a new unstoppable shot at the heart of an apathetic defense.

Expected reaction to La Gantoise

This defeat, sealed after a double from Pantovic (83rd) which ensured his team’s first success on the European scene, constitutes a rather unexpected setback for Lugano. But the Ticino team, which will host La Gantoise in Thun on November 28 during the 4th day, remains well placed to compete at least in the play-offs for the round of 16.