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Ferencváros (FTC, Fradi) suffered a 2-1 loss to Belgian side RSC Anderlecht in Brussels on September 25, 2024, and is therefore starting the UEFA Europa League season with difficulties.

Match Overview

Ferencváros gave a great effort against a strong Anderlecht club at the Constant Vanden Stock Stadium. From the start, both sides showed great enthusiasm and will despite the wet surroundings. The first half was a closely fought game in which both teams created chances but failed to convert them into goals.

Key Moments

Anderlecht’s Yari Verschaeren found the back of the goal with a well-placed shot in the 60th minute, thereby sparking the breakthrough. The aim was achieved with a quick counter-attack that surprised the Ferencváros defence. After a dubious handball call, Kasper Dolberg extended the advantage for the home side only six minutes later, scoring a penalty. The penalty ruling was highly contested as the call by the referee offended Ferencváros players and supporters.

Through a brilliant free-kick by Kristoffer Zachariassen, Ferencváros pulled one back in the 75th minute. The exact strike of the Norwegian midfielder turned over the wall and into the top corner, inspiring the visiting supporters. Ferencváros couldn’t break down Anderlecht’s determined defence in the latter minutes of the game despite their best attempts to get an equaliser.

Reactions from the Team

Stanislav Cherchesov, head coach of Ferencváros, praised the team’s effort but voiced dismay at the outcome. “We tried with heart and will, but sadly we missed our opportunities. We must grow from this and return for the next game stronger,” Cherchesov said in the post-match news conference. He also underlined the necessity of improved defensive organisation to prevent counter-attack goal surrendering.

Kristoffer Zachariassen, the consolation goal scorer, stayed upbeat. “We show that we could compete at this level, even if losing is always difficult. We should keep concentrated and work on our errors,” he said. Zachariassen’s performance was one of the highlights for Ferencváros because his runs and set-piece deliveries often challenged the Anderlecht defence.

Fans’ Perspective

Renowned for their fervent support, Ferencváros supporters were loud throughout the game, in Brussels and at home. Notwithstanding the loss, they expressed pride in their squad’s performance and hope for the next games. Encouragement comments abound on social media, and many of the team’s supporters stressed its battling nature. As supporters offered their opinions and responses to the game, the hashtag #FradiForever trended on Twitter or on other platforms, like gamblii casino.

One admirer posted, “Proud of the lads for battling right till the last. We will recover with more strength. #FradiForever”. Another admirer said, “Unlucky outcome, but team effort is fantastic.” Turning now to the next one! #Europa League.

Looking Ahead

Ferencváros will have to reorganise fast to be ready for their next Europa League game. The club is resolved to recover and create a good impression in their last group-stage games. Combining seasoned players with fresh ideas, Ferencváros hopes to get beyond the group level and have a major influence on the event.

For Ferencváros, the next game will be vital because they visit Danish side FC Copenhagen at the Groupama Arena in Budapest. Key elements as they try to guarantee their first points in the group stage will be the home advantage and the encouragement of their ardent supporters. Coach Cherchesov underlined the need to keep concentration and raise their defensive solidity in the next games.

Conclusion

Although Ferencváros’s loss in Brussels is a setback, it also provides a teaching moment. As the club negotiates the demands of the Europa League, its tenacity and drive will be absolutely vital. Fans will be excited by more exciting games and, ideally, a great season ahead.

There is still much football to be played; Ferencváros’s path in the Europa League is just starting. As the squad works towards its objectives, its capacity to recover from hardship and relentless fan support will be crucial. With the ultimate goal of having a strong run in the competition, Ferencváros will seek to maximise its strengths and solve its shortcomings as the season advances.

Ferencváros debuted in the eight-match Europa League regular season on Wednesday evening. The Hungarian champions started against Belgian side Anderlecht in Brussels in the pouring rain.

Fradi‘s starting line-up was no surprise. Four Hungarians were in the lineup: Dénes Dibusz in goal, Endre Botka and Gábor Szalai in defence, and Barnabás Varga in the forward line.

First half

The first shot was taken by Fradi but was blocked and the corner was not threatened in the fifth minute. Anderlecht responded with two shots on goal; the first one was easy for Dibusz, and the second one he had to bravely; he was left-footed into the bottom left corner.

In the 20th minute, Kady shot after a feint but was blocked by the Belgian defenders. Three minutes later, Anderlecht took a free kick from a dangerous position. The ball curled in well, and Dolberg headed over from four metres. In the 25th minute, Edonzie aimed for the bottom left corner from 18 yards. Dibusz cleared, and the onrushing Sardella returned the rebound from 14 yards, but he shot a metre over.

In the 35th minute, after a second Fradi corner, there was a slight scramble. The ball found Barnabas Varga, who shot it, but it hit the head of Cissé, who could not dive to clear the ball on its way to the goal.

In the 38th minute, Dibusz had to be on the spot again when Amuzu received a good start on the right flank and fired a sharp shot into the middle. The Hungarian goalkeeper had to clear it away from the onrushing strikers. Rommens had another shot from a good position, but the Belgian goalkeeper was on the spot again.

Second half

After the turnaround, the first quarter of an hour was relatively uneventful; Barnabás Varga had a chance but missed it because he had no power left to shoot after breaking inside the penalty area.

Anderlecht then took the lead in the 60th minute, somewhat unexpectedly.

Edonzie received an initiative on the left, took the ball inside the penalty area, and passed it to Stroykens, who finished for Verschaeren. The Belgian number ten placed the ball with his left foot, not with great power but very accurately to the bottom right from 18 yards. Dibusz spotted it too late, dived for it, and got in on it, but the goalpost helped the ball into the net.

Five minutes had not passed when Dibusz brilliantly flicked a Dolberg header into the bottom right. Edonzie collected the rebound, pushed it past Botka, and the defender, who had been hesitant in the game, kicked the striker. The referee blew the whistle for the penalty, and Dane Dolberg shot the ball from two steps very confidently and powerfully, and it went into the net for the first goal.

After the 70th minute, Fradi coach Pascal Jansen made three changes to his team, including the record-signing Brazilian Saldanha. Saldanha scored in the cup games against Budafok and MTK, but that was another level.

Ferencváros played the last ten minutes with a man advantage, with substitute Angulo picking up two yellow cards in a few minutes. In the 87th minute, Traoré sent back a short ball from ten meters out, headed into the net by Simic, who was trying to save. After the equalizer, there was no chance of an equalizer, and the four minutes of extra time passed without the Green and Whites even getting into the Belgian penalty area.

Fradi will have a chance to improve next week, although they need a brace against Tottenham to get the points. How Ferencváros will finish after the first round will be decided after Thursday’s game.

RSC Anderlecht – Ferencvárosi TC 2-1 (0-0)

goals: Verschaeren (60), Dolberg (66, from 11) and Traoré (86)

RSC Anderlecht: Coosemans – Sardella, Jörgensen, Simic, Ndiaye (Foket, 79.) – Verschaeren, Dendoncker, Stroeykens (Leoni, 69.), Edonzie (Ashimeru, 69.) – Amuzu (Angulo, 40.), Dolberg (Vázquez, 69.)

Ferencvárosi TC: Dibusz – Botka (Gartenmann, 76.), Cissé, Szalai, Ramírez (Civic, 76.) – Rommens, Abu Fani (Maiga, 71.) – Traoré, Zachariassen (Ben Romdan, 71.), Kady (Saldanha, 71.) – Varga B.

read also:

• UEL main round: Ferencváros vs Tottenham at home – full program details
• Ferencváros advance to Europa League group stage, Paks and Puskás Akadémia exit European competition, details HERE