Lugano once again proved its championship quality: the leaders won in stoppage time for the second time in a row. They beat Sion 3-2 at home thanks to a penalty in stoppage time and an own goal.
Kreshnik Hajrizi of all people, the former Luganese player who returned to Switzerland from Poland and made his debut for FC Sion, started the crazy final phase of the game with an own goal in the 82nd minute. Before Anto Grgic converted a handball penalty in the 94th minute to make it 3:2, Hajrizi deflected a sharp cross from Mattia Zanotti into the net to make it 2:1.
The former Lugano Super League player and Sion junior, who was signed as a replacement for Joël Schmied, who had moved to Germany, made his first appearance for the Valais club's professional team. Fortunately, the 25-year-old central defender's mishap was not tantamount to defeat, as substitute Sion joker Dejan Sorgic equalized in the 88th minute. It was Mohcine Bouriga's unfortunate handball that finally decided the game.
Another last-minute victory
Lugano, who had fallen behind in the first half through Anton Mirantschuk and equalized through Shkelqim Vladi and once again held their own in the absence of MVP Renato Steffen, thus secured victory in stoppage time, as they did in the 3-2 win in Winterthur a week ago.
"This win shows that we can win against any opponent and play for first place right to the end," said Lugano coach Mattia Croci-Torti to blue Sport after the game. "But we have to play better. We weren't as confident as we can be in the first half. Sion did well."
After the weekend, the Ticino side will be the first team to lead the table for a fifth round in a row this season. First-placed Basel can close the gap to one point with a win at FC Zurich on Sunday.
Comments on the game
Man of the Match: Mattia Zanotti
The 22-year-old right-back stands out as a tireless winger. It felt like 90 percent of all dangerous moves went through his side. He forced the important 2:1 at this point with his constant offensive drive. Such a Zanotti can hardly be kept in Lugano for more than another 0.5 - 1.5 years.
Telegram
Lugano - Sion 3:2 (1:1)
3287 spectators. - SR Dudic. - Goals: 15. Mirantschuk 0:1. 25. Vladi 1:1. 82. Hajrizi (own goal) 2:1. 88. Sorgic (Lavanchy) 2:2. 94. Grgic (penalty) 3:2.
Lugano: Saipi; Zanotti, Mai, Hajdari, Valenzuela; Bislimi (74. Aliseda), Doumbia (74. Mahmoud); Cimignani (58. Grgic), Daniel Dos Santos (58. Mahou), Bottani; Vladi (81. Koutsias).
Sion: Fayulu; Lavanchy, Hajrizi, Barba, Hefti (88. Bouriga); Kabacalman; Berdayes, Mirantschuk (80. Kololli), Kronig; Bouchlarhem (88. Marquinhos Cipriano), Chouaref (80. Sorgic).
Remarks: Cautions: 36 Bislimi, 42 Bouchlarhem, 69 Zanotti, 72 Chouaref.
FC Lugano
FC Sion
- Shkelqim Vladi - 1:1 (25.)
- Kreshnik Hajrizi - 2:1 (82.)
- Anto Grgic - 3:2 (90.+4.)
- (15.) 0:1 - Anton Miranchuk
- (88.) 2:2 - Dejan Sorgic
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Liveticker
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Liveticker closed
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90. + 4'
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90.+6.End of 2nd half
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90.+4.Goal for FC Lugano, 3:2 through penalties from Anto Grgic
Anto Grgic
Midfielder
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88.
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88.Goal for FC Sion, 2:2 through Dejan Sorgic (Numa Lavanchy)
Dejan Sorgic
Striker
Assist: Numa Lavanchy
Defender
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82.
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82.Goal for FC Lugano, 2:1 through an own goal by Kreshnik Hajrizi
Kreshnik Hajrizi
Defender
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72.Yellow card FC Sion
Ilyas Chouaref
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69.Yellow card FC Lugano
Mattia Zanotti
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46.Kick-off 2nd half
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45.+3.End of 1st half
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42.Yellow card FC Sion
Théo Bouchlarhem
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36.Yellow card FC Lugano
Uran Bislimi
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25.
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25.Goal for FC Lugano, 1:1 through Shkelqim Vladi
Shkelqim Vladi
Striker
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15.
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15.Goal for FC Sion, 0:1 through Anton Miranchuk
Anton Miranchuk
Midfielder
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1.Start of the match
