FC Lugano also wins its second match in the Conference League. In Mlada Boleslav, a goal from Steffen and a penalty saved by Amir Saipi lead to a 1:0 victory.
So far, the league phase has been quiet and successful for FC Lugano. Mattia Croci-Torti's team followed up their 3-0 win against HJK Helsinki with a not entirely unchallenged but deserved second victory in the Czech Republic. After two of the six rounds, the Ticino side are now in the top 8 and qualify directly for the round of 16.
The decisive scenes in the small, 5,000-seater stadium in Mlada Boleslav took place in the 38th and 82nd minutes. First, Luganesi took the lead: Uran Bislimi's pass into the deep and Hicham Mahou's deflected shot landed at the feet of Steffen, who scored his sixth goal of the season.
Saipi has to save the penalty twice
The victory then came under threat again as Lugano restricted themselves a little too much to the bare minimum and Albian Hajdari committed an unnecessary foul in his own penalty area. Amir Saipi saved the resulting penalty twice. Patrik Vydra was allowed to take the penalty again after the first attempt because Lugano players had entered the penalty area too early.
Lugano continue their campaign in two weeks' time against Backa Topola. The small Serbian town is not a football stronghold either. The chances of further points are good: Backa Topola, like Mlada Boleslav, have yet to pick up a point after two rounds.
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Mlada Boleslav - Lugano 0:1 (0:1)
SR Theouli (CYP). - Goal: 38. Steffen 0:1.
Mlada Boleslav: Trmal; Kral, Suchy, Kralik; Kostka, Sakala (65. Stransky), Vydra, Ladra (88. Vojta), Fulnek (84. Marecek); Kusej, Masek.
Lugano: Saipi; Brault-Guillard, Papadopoulos, Hajdari, Marques; Doumbia, Grgic (84. Mahmoud), Bislimi (91. Dos Santos); Steffen (91. Mai), Aliseda (74. Bottani), Mahou (74. Przybylko).
Remarks: Lugano without Valenzuela and Zanotti (both injured). 81st Saipi saves penalty from Vydra. Cautions: 78 Hajdari. 98 Bottani.
The video ticker
FK Mladá Boleslav
FC Lugano
- (38.) 0:1 - Renato Steffen
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Liveticker
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Liveticker closed
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81.
After the VAR intervenes: Saipi saves 2 penalties within 3 minutes
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76.
Doumbia misses the preliminary decision for Lugano
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38.
Steffen gives Lugano the lead
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35.
Saipi saves Lugano from falling behind
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0.
Lugano coach Croci-Torti: "There really is no favorite"
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90.+8.End of 2nd half
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90.+8.Yellow card FC Lugano
Mattia Bottani
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90.+2.Substitution in FC Lugano
Daniel Dos Santos
Midfielder
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90.+2.Substitution out FC Lugano
Uran Bislimi
Midfielder
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90.+2.Substitution in FC Lugano
Lars Lukas Mai
Defender
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90.+2.Substitution out FC Lugano
Renato Steffen
Striker
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88.Substitution in FK Mladá Boleslav
Matyas Vojta
Striker
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88.Substitution out FK Mladá Boleslav
Tomáš Ladra
Midfielder
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84.Substitution in FC Lugano
Hadj Mahmoud
Midfielder
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84.Substitution out FC Lugano
Anto Grgic
Midfielder
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84.Substitution in FK Mladá Boleslav
Daniel Marecek
Midfielder
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84.Substitution out FK Mladá Boleslav
Jakub Fulnek
Midfielder
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81.FK Mladá Boleslav misses penalty
Patrik Vydra
Midfielder
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76.Yellow card FC Lugano
Albian Hajdari
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74.Substitution in FC Lugano
Kacper Przybylko
Striker
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74.Substitution out FC Lugano
Hicham Mahou
Striker
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74.Substitution in FC Lugano
Mattia Bottani
Midfielder
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74.Substitution out FC Lugano
Ignacio Aliseda
Striker
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65.Substitution in FK Mladá Boleslav
Vojtech Stransky
Striker
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65.Substitution out FK Mladá Boleslav
Benson Sakala
Midfielder
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46.Kick-off 2nd half
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45.+4.End of 1st half
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38.Goal for FC Lugano, 0:1 through Renato Steffen
Renato Steffen
Striker
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1.Start of the match