Football Season Guide

Lugano started the previous season slowly, but things started to pick up after Fabio Celestini was named their manager. The Ticiners eventually managed to finish third and qualify for the group stages of the Europa League for the second time in three years. It was clear that they were on an upward trend ever since Celestini took over. The spring season saw them go on their longest top flight unbeaten run in the 21st century, as it did not take them too long to start playing the superb counter-attacking football that their manager is known for. The summer transfer window gives them plenty of reasons to feel optimistic, with the sole player of note to have left being Dragan Mihajlovic, who left for Cypriot side APOEL. Several players have returned from loan, while summer signings include two well known Super League players in Olivier Custodio and Francisco Rodriguez, as well as Hungarian international Filip Holender. Their squad looks to be on a level similar to their last season's, if not a touch stronger, and they will have a lot of reasons to feel optimistic, given that Celestini is a man with a plan and has implemented it impeccably so far. However, their Europa League participation might affect their league form and a big challenge for their boss is to manage the busy weeks that they will have.