Ferencvaros Aims for Advancement Against Rangers

Match Details

Event: Europa League: Ferencvaros vs. Rangers
Location: Ferencvaros Stadion, Budapest
Date: Thursday, 11 December
Kick-off Time: 17:45 GMT
Broadcast: Follow live commentary on BBC Radio Scotland & Sounds, with text updates available on the BBC Sport website and app.

Importance of the Match

Although Rangers find themselves in a seemingly inconsequential situation for the upcoming Europa League match, the stakes are significantly higher for Ferencvaros. The Hungarian team, still undefeated in the current tournament, has the potential to solidify a spot in the top eight, which would guarantee automatic advancement to the knockout stage.

For Rangers, a loss would almost certainly confirm their elimination from this year’s competition, a scenario that would be particularly satisfying for Ferencvaros head coach Robbie Keane, a former Celtic player and devoted supporter since childhood.

Keane has been at the helm since January, leading Ferencvaros to their seventh consecutive league title and a historic 36th overall last season, succeeding Pascal Jansen who moved to New York City FC. However, securing that title was not without challenges, as he faced two draws and two defeats in his initial four league matches before orchestrating a remarkable unbeaten streak of 13 games to narrowly outpace Puskas Akademia.

Recent Performances

This season, Ferencvaros continues to perform at a high level, although they currently lead the league by just two points. Their impressive away record in Europe includes a 1-0 victory over Genk, a thrilling 3-2 win against RB Salzburg, and a hard-fought 1-1 draw with Fenerbahce, following a narrow exit in the Champions League qualifying round against Qarabag.

The team’s ability to gain points is further supported by a 1-1 draw at home against Viktoria Plzen, despite playing for over 50 minutes with one player less after Cebrail Makreckis received a red card, and a 3-1 triumph against Ludogorets. With these results, they are in a strong position to progress to the knockout stages.

Key Player: Barnabas Varga

Barnabas Varga has emerged as a pivotal asset for Ferencvaros both domestically and in European competitions. Fans may recall his harrowing incident during Euro 2024 against Scotland, where he endured a brutal collision with goalkeeper Angus Gunn and was rushed to the hospital with a fractured cheekbone. Remarkably, he has fully recovered and remains a vital part of the team.

Varga has been instrumental in Ferencvaros’s successes, scoring against Genk and contributing goals in matches against Salzburg and Fenerbahce. He found the net six times in the Champions League qualifiers and has continued his form with ten goals in just 15 league appearances.

Joining Varga in the lineup are experienced players like Naby Keita, a former Liverpool star, and Kristoffer Zachariassen, who has played a crucial role since the Europa League encounters with Celtic in 2021. Additionally, the squad features promising talents including 20-year-old Alex Toth, who recently made his full international debut, and Zsombor Gruber, a forward with an impressive goal tally this season.

As Ferencvaros prepares to face Rangers, they have ample reasons to believe that they can secure a positive result this time around, marking the first matchup since Rangers narrowly triumphed in the 1960-61 Cup Winners’ Cup.