Stöger's team wanted to play football better than Rebrov’s – this caused the downfall

Let's start from what Peter Stöger, Ferencváros' head coach, said after Tuesday's 2-0 loss to Celtic: "We seem to lack good quality in these matches." On Tuesday in Scotland, Ferencváros was a bit like the Hungarian national team in the fall, losing the World Cup qualifiers: as long as they were able to show their strength and concentration, they proved to be an equal opponent. However, in the second half, when they tried to attack, there were more and more mistakes, and losing the ball was punished by the opponent.

Of course, Stöger is right that at the level of the European group stages, in contrast to the opponents, Ferencváros lacks good quality to prove to be an equal partner at home to Celtic that has a much more valuable squad, and can play their own game. Just like the Hungarian national team cannot be an equal partner to the English national team. Ferencváros' former head coach Serhiy Rebrov repeatedly complained in previous years that he did not have players who have previously played on the international stage. Yet, he was able to win last season with Ferencváros in Scotland, even though nine members of that squad are still available to Peter Stöger. In addition, with Ryan Mmaee's arrival, the forwards have a strong player even if one of last year's key players, Ihor Kharatin, was absent from the midfield. Overall, Rebrov's team did not represent a better quality either, but the feat came together... just as it did last time for the Hungarian national team in London, by not wanting to play their own game, but by maximizing the distraction of the opponent's football.

JournalistTomasz Mortimer, an expert in Hungarian football, spoke to the English press before Tuesday's game and told them how he expects a more open and risk-taking Ferencváros from Stöger in contrast to Rebrov's packed in defense last year (which was greatly influenced by his early management). Well, it was confirmed in the match in whichFTC possessed the ball a little more now (38%) than last year (32%), had more passes and more accurate passes (2020: 340/260; 2021: 356/278), won more duels in percentage (2020: 39, 2021: 43 percent) and attempted twice (8) as many shots as last year (4), six of which were performed within the penalty area compared to last year's two.

It is another issue that while two of the four shots were on target last year, and both were scored, two shots on target of the eight attempts were missed this season. However, based on the xG statistics, Fradi had more opportunities (1,1) this year than in 2020 (0,35). But they still failed to score. Overall, the Hungarian champion was much more efficient and focused in front of the goal in 2020 with fewer opportunities.

Even with a stronger will to attack and a more open play, the defense wasn't as effective as it was last year. Ferencváros performed fewer tackles now (8) than in 2020 (13), and the ball acquisitions were fewer in 2021 (46) compared to last year's 53.

The numbers, therefore, show that Ferencváros, despite having four defenders, three midfielders, and three forwards (same as last year) and attacking, risking more, with a more open play, the team's defense was not as tight. Also, as the attacking game was not as effective as in 2020 either, this game in Glasgow ended in a 2–0 defeat instead of a 2–1 win.

THE MATCH IN 2021
EUROPA LEAGUE
GROUP G
ROUND 3
Celtic (Scotland) – Ferencváros 2–0 (0–0)
Glasgow,Celtic Park,53 000spectators.Referee:Kehlet (Denmark)
CELTIC:Hart – Ralston, Carter-Vickers, Starfelt, Montgomery (L. Scales, 75.) – C. McGregor, Turnbull – Abada (Giakoumakis, 71.), Rogic (Bitton, 71.), Jota – Furuhasi (M. Johnstone, 86.).Head coach:Ange Postecoglou
FTC:Dibusz – Wingo, Blažič, S. Mmaee, Ćivić – Laidouni (Somália, 66.), Vécsei – Uzuni, Nguen (Mak, 83.), Zachariassen (Loncar, 66.) – R. Mmaee.Head coach:Peter Stöger
Goalscorers:Furuhasi (57.), Vécsei (81. – own goal)

THE MATCH IN 2020
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
PLAY-OFF, ROUND 2
CELTIC (Scotland) – FERENCVÁROS 1–2(0–1)
Glasgow,Celtic Park,closed doors. Referee:Lindhout (Netherlands)
CELTIC:Barkas – Elhamed (J. Frimpong, 78.), Jullien, Ajer, G. Taylor – S. Brown, C. McGregor – Forrest (Ajeti, 78.), Christie, M. Elyounoussi – Ntcham.Head coach:Neil Lennon
FTC:Dibusz – Botka, Kovačević, Blažič, Ćivić – D. Sigér, Kharatin, Somália – Nguen (Skvarka, 80.), Isael (Boli, 71.), Uzuni (Dvali, 86.).Head coach:Serhiy Rebrov
Goalscorers:Christie (53.), and D. Sigér D (7.), Nguen (75.)