Ferencváros seek to end dismal record

Ferencvárosi TC open their group stage campaign looking for their first win against Dutch clubs in UEFA club competitions.

Bleak outlook
Though this is the first match for the Hungarians against Feyenoord, they have met the other former UEFA club champions PSV Eindhoven and AFC Ajax and have lost all four games, scoring three goals and conceding 15. In 1983/84, Fradi met PSV in the first round of the UEFA Cup and lost 4-2 at Eindhoven, and 2-0 in the return leg in Hungary. Then, in their only appearance in the UEFA Champions League in 1995/96, the Hungarians were paired at the group stage with holders Ajax, who won 5-1 at Budapest thanks to a Jari Litmanen hat-trick, and 4-0 at Amsterdam with two further goals from Litmanen. Ferencváros finished third in the group, while Ajax went on to reach the final where they lost on penalties to Juventus.

Strong case
Feyenoord have played seven games against Hungarian clubs in UEFA club competitions with four wins, two draws and one loss. In the 1962/63 Champion Clubs’ Cup, Feyenoord beat Vasas SC 1-0 in a replay at Rotterdam after the sides had drawn 1-1 in Hungary and 2-2 in the return leg. In the first round of the 1986/87 UEFA Cup Pécsi Munkás FC inflicted Feyenoord’s sole defeat by a Hungarian side with a 1-0 home win, though the Dutch club won the second leg 2-0. In the 2000/01 UEFA Cup first round, Feyenoord won both legs against Dunaferr SC with a 1-0 won in Hungary followed by a 3-1 success the De Kuip stadium.

Advantage Feyenoord
Feyenoord were the only winners on the opening day in Group A with their 3-0 home success against Heart of Midlothian FC. Dirk Kuijt opened the scoring after 21 minutes and Bart Goor added a second after 58 minutes. Kuijt wrapped up the win with a third goal seven minutes from time.