Lugano avoid more rainy day blues
FC Lugano have climbed up to fifth in the Swiss football league after finally overcoming Lausanne in another rain-soaked encounter. The two clubs had originally met on Saturday, only for rain to stop play with Lugano holding a 3-0 lead.
Starting Wednesday’s replay from scratch, the two sides faced a half hour delay thanks to another heavy downpour. But when the skies cleared, Lugano seemed set to shine once again.
Two goals from Argentina’s Sergio José Bastida either side of the break saw Roberto Morinini’s men take a 2-0 lead. The Ticinese team then appeared to relax too soon, allowing Lausanne’s Senegalese striker Pape Thiaw to score in the 57th minute.
But without looking as convincing as they had done on Saturday, Lugano were able to hold on for the overdue victory.
There was more good news for the Lugano fans after the match when the club confirmed that Swiss international defender Badile Lubamba will be fulfilling his contract after all. Lubamba was recently thought to be on the brink of signing for French club Marseille, but has now agreed to stay in Switzerland until at least 2002.
Lausanne, meanwhile, find themselves in a position as miserable as the Ticinese weather – bottom of the league with just one draw to show for their opening four matches.
swissinfo with agencies
In compliance with the JTI standards
More: SWI swissinfo.ch certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.