FC Lugano beats FC Basel 3-1 and sees a ray of light – in the midst of Ticino’s darkness

In the end, it's just like before. FC Lugano finishes off a counterattack against FC Basel's empty goal in stoppage time, making it 3-1 and can indulge in collective celebration. An unexpected moment of celebration. Player Renato Steffen holds his child in his arms after the match and tells the television stations: "I've always given my answer on the pitch. I guess I need a certain amount of negativity." He's referring to the criticism that has rained down on him and the team in recent days. Steffen says a lot of "nonsense" has been written, "including against those around me."

The player opens a valve. And then, without a word, walks past the media representatives toward the locker room. The victory in the heat against the champions, who defeated YB 4-1 four days ago and are now unrecognizable, shines like a ray of light in the Ticino darkness. A darkness that, it should be noted, has lasted for months.

FC Lugano was considered a "model" at the beginning of the year, finishing fourth, third, and second from 2022 to 2024, reaching the Cup final for the third consecutive year in 2024 , and reaching the round of 16 in the Conference League. A chafed Ticino football fanatic, what more could you ask for? The planned scenario: Swiss champions by 2026 at the latest, a triumphant entry into the new arena, which will be completed by then.

But the beautiful novel with its climactic buildup turns into a "horror film." The Ticino newspaper "Corriere del Ticino" is currently transported to this film genre. 2025 will be the year of free fall.

Out in the cup quarter-finals at lower league side FC Biel, hardly any wins for months, fifth place in the table, recent moments of horror in the championship (1:2 against Thun, 0:4 in Sion), before a so-called singular exclamation mark follows on Sunday against a tired-looking FC Basel.

And this, three days after signs of disintegration were detected in the first leg of the Conference League qualifier against Slovenian club Celje, following a 5-0 defeat. The tragedy took place in exile in Thun, in front of 623 people. Until they move into their new stadium, FC Lugano is homeless, constantly on the road in European competitions, whether home or away. The club's management is also weighing this in its attempt to calm things down.

In January, the Ticino club extended two key contracts. Coach Mattia Croci-Torti received a contract until 2028. In a clip produced by the club, Croci-Torti puts on a cap bearing the year 2028 and says, "L'avventura insieme continua" (The adventure continues together).

In the same month, former Bundesliga player Renato Steffen was signed to a contract until 2028. The 33-year-old and Croci-Torti were praised in the media as if they were the league's benchmark. Steffen's multi-million-euro contract was reportedly pushed well below the million-euro mark due to his age.

Half a year later, rumors began to circulate that the two protagonists, who were slated to be the pillars of the move to the new stadium in 2026, had argued. Both sides tried to placate the situation. Internally, the club stated that neither of them was indifferent to the club's fate.

They only want the best. And where wood is sawn, there are always shavings.

The Ticino club is being shaken up because some players have travel plans but can't get away. Possible transfers, today, tomorrow, maybe the day after tomorrow – or never at all. This can exacerbate the dissatisfaction of those willing to leave. They're being dropped from the squad, like Albian Hajdari, only to suddenly appear for a few minutes against Celje and then disappear again against Basel. This is irritating, even within the team.

All parties want Hajdari to go to Germany or Spain and bring in a few million. But things don't always go as planned. Mattia Zanotti and Uran Bislimi are also potential transfer cases. Advisors say their departures are dragging on, "it's not all that easy." But unlike Hajdari, Zanotti and Bislimi will be used. Potential for discord.

The dismissal of sporting director Carlos Da Silva in February 2025 is practically predestined for controversy. He was first demoted when Sebastian Pelzer was promoted to Chief Sports Officer at the end of 2024. The club says there was one too many in the ship. Since Da Silva's departure, FC Lugano has been languishing.

Before his appointment, Pelzer had worked with little success for Chicago Fire FC, the Major League Soccer club owned by wealthy businessman Joe Mansueto, who also owns FC Lugano. Xherdan Shaqiri, who recently led FC Basel to the championship title, was under contract with the club until August 2024. Shaqiri, who had recently led FC Basel to the championship title, but on Sunday, like his teammates, had a miserable afternoon in the Ticino heat, literally burning up.

Chicago Fire is on course for the playoffs in the American league. Martin Blaser and Georg Heitz, the CEO and board member of FC Lugano, are currently in Chicago. There they witnessed the 2-2 draw between Chicago and Los Angeles FC. They will meet with Mansueto for their annual meeting on Monday.

They can use this opportunity to tell the boss how FC Lugano has lost its way. And whether Croci-Torti should continue. After his exploit against the suddenly derailed champions, Croci-Torti has a few more arguments. He, the local, is anchoring the American project in Lugano, which is swallowing up tens of millions of Swiss francs, in Ticino soil. And he says after the Basel game: "That was a team effort and is an important response."