Steffen mixes up Lugano: Nati star on a secret locker room mission

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That Nati wing Renato Steffen (31) can still bring any opponent to the boil, he proved last weekend in Zurich with his provocative goal celebration towards FCZ fans after his 3-2 winning goal deep into stoppage time.

This season in Lugano has shown that Steffen has not changed much in his four years at VfL Wolfsburg. Just like in his time with YB or FCB, he offends. “A disgusting disease, that’s what I want to be,” he recently said in an interview in the football magazine “Zwölf”.

A disgusting ailment, that was Steffen internally. On his arrival, the Bundesliga return practically fell with the door in the Lugano dressing room. He criticized his teammates’ work ethic, saying they wouldn’t leave their comfort zone. Naturally, his criticism caused trouble and a stir – especially among established teammates. In addition, major successes were recently celebrated, such as winning the cup – without Steffen. In addition, he needs time to warm up, the Bundesliga player is not immediately on the field.

Steffen caused a sensation with an interview in Ticino

An interview he gave to the “Corriere del Ticino” last year also caused a stir. Population and Tifosi interpreted his words as arrogance. He tried to change too much too quickly, Steffen now admits to having made mistakes.

In fact, he only did what he was asked to do, according to the club. Being spicy, ambitious, also uncomfortable – that was the secret mission with which the club management sent him into the dressing room. The differences in the team have now been resolved and Steffen also performs on the field: 7 scorer points in the past 7 matches. Stephen delivers. Besides Aliseda (23), he is the difference player in the Lugano offensive. He needed time to arrive and the others needed time to understand his character, Steffen said Thursday. “I didn’t come here to end my career! I’m not the bad guy, I just want the best for everyone in the club.”

“YB has quality, but we can beat them”

It is now the same in Lugano as in Bern or Basel: it is better to have a “disgusting disease” like Steffen in your own team. On Sunday he will meet YB in the cup final. Ironically enough, on the artificial turf in Bern, where Lugano YB has not been able to beat for six (!) years. “Statistics like that are there to change,” says Steffen confidently. “YB has a lot of quality, but we can beat them. I hope we can gild this super season.”

One thing is certain: Steffen will cause a stir on Sunday. Not in the hut of Lugano, but in the Bernese defense. (Collaboration: Maurizio Urech)

Source : Blick