Coming into the game, Hungarian champions Ferencváros were looking to defend their unbeaten record in the UEFA Europa League league phase; as well as securing one of the top eight spots on the table, which would spare them a play-off round before the Round of 16. To make a big step towards those goals, they were taking on the Greek side Panathinaikos at home in the Groupama Arena in Budapest, Hungary on Thursday, 22 January.
They had some major challenges, however. They lost two of their key players in the winter transfer window: centre-forward and prolific goal scorer Barnabás Varga was signed by Pana’s domestic rivals AEK Athens, while young midfielder Alex Tóth was bought by the English Premier League side AFC Bournemouth.
There was some personal drama between the two coaches leading up to the game as well. Fradi trainer Robbie Keane was once coached by his opposition counterpart, UCL-winning coaching legend Rafa Benítez, during his playing career at Liverpool. Then, he was outspoken about his discontent with the lack of playing time he got at the time.
As for action on the pitch, it was the visitors who created the first clear chance, but former Manchester United player and Uruguay international Facundo Pellistri fired just high of the bar from inside the penalty area. Not much happened until the tail end of the first half, when Jonathan Levi of Ferencváros threatened with two shots: the one from outside the box went just wide, while the one from inside the box was deflected to a corner by the Greek defensive line.
It was goalkeeper Dávid Gróf’s turn to shine at the beginning of the second half. The 36-year-old sportsman has spent a couple of seasons in the Greek league with Levadiakos before signing with Fradi, and he was filling in for the injured Dénes Dibusz in goal for the game. In the 53rd minute, he tipped over the ball going for the top near corner with an impressive dive.
A few minutes later, Fradi fans had even more reasons to cheer. Their team was awarded a penalty for handball, which was coolly converted by the Nigerian forward Bamidele Yusuf. This was not enough for victory, however. In the 86th minute, Anass Zaroury found the net for Pana. He deftly dribbled past Cebrail Makreckis into a great shooting position, and put it into the near top corner at an unstoppable speed.
The tie means that Ferencváros have kept both their unbeaten record, and their spot in the top eight on the table as well. However, they will have to get it done in a very tough match against Nottingham Forest from the English Premier League on the road next Thurday.
Advancement from the league phase to at least the play-off round has already been secured by the green-and-white lads.
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