New challenge: Ambri-Cereda must make up for her psychological disadvantage

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The new mode has it all. In the play-in system, places 7 and 8 have been upgraded compared to places 9 and 10. Lugano and Ambri had two chances to qualify for the play-offs. While the Bianconeri used the former, the Leventiners now face Biel on Monday and Wednesday after last year’s finalist sent the champions and Champions League winners on holiday.

This creates a new psychological starting point. A team that has lost a series meets a high-level team that just won a game.

In Biel’s case, they are currently benefiting from the rubber ball effect of a coaching change. Since sports director Martin Steinegger (52) replaced the dismissed coach Petri Matikainen (57) on the board, the Zeelanders scored points in all five matches and first secured their place in the play-ins and then took something like revenge in the final from last year. opponent. A team can’t have much more wind at its back.

Cereda goes home proud

The situation against Ambri looks completely different. The Biancoblù not only lost a series, but also had to admit defeat to their arch-rival Lugano in the derby. This hurts the village club not only twice, but ten times. And then we don’t even take into account the fact that Ambri lost a 4-0 lead in the home game.

Coach Luca Cereda (42) in particular is challenged. And the Ticino player, who has often proven that he always finds a way to take his team to the next level, tries to put a positive spin just minutes after the 3-1 defeat in Lugano. In an interview with Teleticino, he praised his team’s performance, saying they delivered the best away derby of the season. He does not want to know that Thursday’s burglary has left traces. “Little details made the difference,” he says. “I go home proud to be my boys’ coach. We played an excellent match and showed the real Ambri mentality.”

He does admit that it is a mental challenge to prepare for the match against Biel within 48 hours of the derby disappointment. “That’s the sport. We have to stand up and fight.”

Biel has another psychological advantage: in qualifying, the Zeelanders got 10 of the 12 possible points from the direct duels.

Source : Blick