For play-in derby against Lugano: Ambri-Cereda full of energy again after a big void

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There is exactly one year between the two completely different emotional worlds of Luca Cereda. On March 4, 2023, his team put an inglorious end to an exhausting season with a 4:7 defeat to the 12th-place Lakers. “They were difficult moments,” the 42-year-old remembers, “I was empty.” The old Ambri coach was thinking about resigning at the time. He was exhausted, ‘mentally and physically’.

On March 4, 2024, Cereda stands in the dressing room after the 4-0 win over Kloten with the certainty that his team will face a play-in mini-series against Lugano thanks to the 8th place. His thoughts at that moment? “They haven’t reached the derby yet. Until a few minutes ago I didn’t know what the score was or who we were playing against.”

Cereda’s thoughts are still on the last qualifying match, for which it was not easy to muster the mental intensity. After a bear market in January, the Leventiners fought their way back in February, recording seven wins from their last ten games. Several players repeatedly emphasized that they were already in play-off mode in their minds because every game counts.

Statistics speak against Ambri – right?

The salary? “We created two chances and we can still win something,” said Cereda, “that’s so nice.” The carnival, the carnival, is over, “but now there are still four or five holidays waiting for Ticino. This season we are starting a new chapter.” The coach, who wanted to give up begging a year ago, now feels full of energy. When he decided to move, the father of the family decided to take better care of himself. To occasionally to distance yourself and take care of your own balance, so that you do not lose your balance and reach your limits again.

But what are the limits for his team? Cereda does not want to exaggerate that Ambri fought for 8th place and Lugano lost the 6th and final play-off place. It’s simply about the incomparable derby emotions, ‘we have to be ready for that.’ He must know.

In any case, you should not use past statistics if they do not speak for yourself. The canton rivals have faced each other seven times in the play-off series: in 1990, 1994 and 2006 in the quarter-finals, 1987, 1989 and 2000 in the semi-finals – and in 1999 in the final, with Cereda as a 17-year-old. old Ambri striker. Luganesi won all series. Is Cereda and Ambri’s momentum enough to rewrite this story?

Source : Blick