Steffen reflects on lugano's late draw, criticizes first-half performance

Despite a dramatic late equalizer securing a 1-1 draw against FC St. Gallen, Lugano's scorer Renato Steffen offered a self-critical assessment of his team's performance, particularly lamenting a sluggish first half.

Steffen acknowledges team lapses despite salvaged point

Steffen, speaking to SRF after the match, admitted the team’s play before the 64th-minute red card for Daniel dos Santos was unacceptable. “I knew I had to get the ball into the box, as I’ve always been taught: to the far post,” the 34-year-old explained. “If no one touches it, it goes in.”

The red card proved to be a turning point. With ten men, Lugano showed renewed energy and tactical awareness. “We had to run more, get into the spaces, and make better decisions because we played faster,” Steffen said. “It had to be a sign for the team that there has to be a spark. That we can all beat anyone when we perform at 100 percent as a collective.”

Steffen specifically pointed to the team’s lack of creativity in the first half, stating they opted for safe passing over ambitious forward play. “We have to take a good look at ourselves. When we were at eleven men, we didn’t find the right solutions. We just circulated the ball safely without creating any danger.”

The match offered a sense of relief for Lugano after a postponement just three days prior due to heavy snowfall. “The journey home will definitely be more pleasant,” Steffen chuckled. “We weren’t as ‘broken’ as after the frustration of the postponement last weekend.”

The draw, while not a victory, represents a valuable point for Lugano as they navigate a challenging season. Steffen’s honesty suggests a determined effort to address the team’s shortcomings and build momentum moving forward.