LS Advances to Swiss Cup Semi-Final After Dramatic Penalty Shootout
On Tuesday evening in Bellinzona, Lausanne-Sport secured a spot in the Swiss Cup semi-finals, clinching victory after a tense penalty shootout. The long journey home was made a little easier by the win. “I had time to reflect on the past three years during the bus ride,” said head coach Ludovic Magnin. “Honestly, if you’d told me back then that we’d be fighting for a top-six finish and a place in the Swiss Cup semi-final, I would have taken it without hesitation.”
Magnin believes that staying in the Cup will keep his players fully engaged as they pursue their league objectives. Before turning their attention to the semi-final against Basel in late April, Lausanne faces a crucial stretch of Super League fixtures, beginning with Saturday’s home match against Servette (8:30 p.m.). The Lake Geneva derby is set to be played at an unprecedented level for the young Tuilière stadium.
“I Expect 12,000 Fans at the Stadium!”
With over 8,000 tickets already sold, Magnin hopes for an even larger turnout. “We know our team performs well when there’s a big crowd, so we’re counting on our supporters to show up for a great atmosphere. Lausanne-Servette is a fixture that attracts fans,” he said. Given Lausanne’s strong season, Magnin feels the attendance should reflect the team’s progress. “This is one of the club’s best seasons in over 25 years, yet I think there aren’t enough people in the stands. At Christmas, some were even talking about the title—so now, I expect 12,000 people at the stadium!”
Magnin also draws a comparison with Lausanne Hockey Club: “They packed 9,600 seats midweek, and I don’t think they have more titles than us. Don’t get me wrong, we have fantastic supporters, but I had thought that success and good football would naturally bring in more fans. There’s something I don’t quite understand.”
A Clash of Rising Stars
On the pitch, this derby will feature an exciting matchup between two of Swiss football’s brightest prospects: Dereck Kutesa and Alvyn Sanches. Sanches continues to impress, but Magnin is keen to highlight the team effort behind him. “He’s having a great season, that’s obvious. But football is a team sport—when he doesn’t get the right service, things become more complicated,” said the coach. He also praised the leadership of Noë Dussenne, whose consistency has elevated the entire squad. “His ability to raise his game and lift those around him is what makes a true leader.”
Despite Lausanne’s busy schedule, Magnin refuses to use fatigue as an excuse. “Last time we beat Servette 1-0 here, they blamed their loss on a congested fixture list—we won’t do the same. We’ll be ready on Saturday.” More broadly, Magnin criticizes the mentality in Swiss football regarding fixture congestion. “I don’t understand why people always look for excuses about playing midweek games. Competing in Europe and traveling for matches is an incredible experience for any club.”
Goalkeeper Situation Remains Unclear
However, Magnin acknowledges the financial constraints of Swiss football. “We’re not equipped to rotate our squad position by position due to budget limitations. It’s tough, but we have to embrace it.” A win against Servette on Saturday would bring Lausanne closer to a potential European campaign.
Meanwhile, the goalkeeper situation remains uncertain. Karlo Letica did not train this week, while Thomas Castella impressed in the cup tie against Bellinzona. When asked for more details, Magnin deflected: “You’ve been asking for a sporting director in Lausanne for a long time—now there is one, so you’ll have to ask him. That decision is above me.”
Leave a Reply