FC Lugano vs Neuchatel Xamax FC

With temperatures already touching 30°C at the 10:30 local time kick-off, both managers used the fixture primarily to assess fitness and trial new signings. Xamax, under new head coach Bruno Berner, started the brighter side.

Visiting striker Janis Lüthi — on loan from Young Boys — created the first chance inside three minutes, flicking the ball to Liridon Mulaj whose shot was blocked by David Von Ballmoos. A minute later, Lüthi dragged a low shot just wide of the far post (4').

Lugano responded immediately. Daniel Dos Santos dribbled into the box and forced a near-miss, his effort curling past the upright (6').

The breakthrough came from a set piece. A Lugano corner led to a tangle in the box, the referee pointed to the spot, and Renato Steffen sent Edin Omeragić the wrong way from 12 yards (1-0, 11').

Xamax refused to wilt. Altin Azemi had two clear chances in quick succession — his shot from 16 yards trickled into the side netting (14'), then a powerful long-range drive drew a fine save from Von Ballmoos (20').

The equaliser arrived from a smart set-piece move. Badara Diomandé — the former Stade Nyonnais midfielder making his Xamax debut — collected the ball inside the area and laid it back for Eris Abedini, whose side-footed finish beat the goalkeeper (1-1, 26').

Xamax nearly took the lead before the break. Yuri Peverelli, on loan from Lugano, skipped past his marker and shot from the edge of the area, but Von Ballmoos saved comfortably (40').

Berner changed his entire XI at half-time. Anthony Mossi replaced Omeragić in goal, while a completely new outfield unit took the field. The second-string side matched their first-half counterparts for effort but conceded the decisive goal.

Vincent Nvendo combined well with Loïc Veya, setting up a shot that lacked power (56'), before Lugano struck again. A through-ball caught Théodore Elsig out of position and the Xamax defender was adjudged to have fouled the attacker in the box. Anto Grgić stepped up, Mossi got a hand to the ball but couldn't keep it out (2-1, 59').

Xamax pushed for a late leveller. Elsig's dangerous cross was almost turned into his own net by Damian Kelvin, who narrowly deflected it wide (79'). The heat and early-season fatigue took hold, and the game fizzled out.

The second penalty, awarded in the 59th minute, proved decisive. Xamax's fresh XI had contained Lugano reasonably well until Elsig was caught too high up the pitch, leaving him with no option but to foul the advancing attacker. Grgić's finish, though not cleanly struck, squeezed past Mossi's reach. Lugano didn't create much from open play in the second half, but the spot-kick was enough.

• Badara Diomandé (Xamax) — The new signing controlled midfield in the first half, winning the ball that led to the equaliser. His physical presence was a standout in the early stages.
• Eris Abedini (Xamax) — Scored the equaliser with a composed finish and worked tirelessly in central midfield. Reliable as ever.
• Renato Steffen (Lugano) — Ice-cool from the penalty spot to open the scoring. The experienced winger was a constant outlet down the flank.
• David Von Ballmoos (Lugano) — Made two sharp saves in the first half to deny Azemi and Peverelli, preserving parity before Lugano regained the lead.

Player of the match: Badara Diomandé — Influential on debut for Xamax, even in a losing cause.

The provider data shows a 2-1 final scoreline with both of Lugano's goals coming from penalties, reflecting a game where Xamax matched their Super League opponents for long stretches. Lugano's two spot-kicks (11', 59') accounted for all of their scoring threat in open play that the Xamax defence largely contained. Xamax created the better chances in the first half (Mulaj 3', Azemi 14' & 20', Peverelli 40') but couldn't convert any of them before Abedini's 26th-minute strike.

The half-time wholesale change — 11 substitutions for Xamax — disrupted the visitors' rhythm, and the second-string side conceded the decisive penalty within 14 minutes of the restart. Lugano's second-half performance was otherwise unremarkable, suggesting this was very much a fitness-building exercise for Mattia Croci-Torti's side.

This was the first pre-season friendly for both clubs. FC Lugano (Swiss Super League) will face Rapperswil-Jona on 4 July 2026 at Sportivo 'Saleggi' in Losone as their next warm-up fixture. Neuchâtel Xamax (Swiss Challenge League) continue their pre-season campaign under new head coach Bruno Berner, who took over during the close season.

For Xamax, the performance offered encouragement: the first XI showed intensity and organisation, and new arrivals Diomandé and Modibo Camara (ex-FC Bienne) featured prominently. The squad's depth remains a work in progress, reflected in the drop-off after the mass half-time changes.

A typical early pre-season friendly: encouraging spells, heavy rotation, and a result decided by two penalties. Xamax's first XI looked the more coherent side and created the better chances, while Lugano's superior penalty-box efficiency — from 12 yards, at least — made the difference. Both managers will have learned more about their squads than the scoreline suggests.