After the 1-0 away win against DVSC, Ferencváros' defending Hungarian champion men's football team hosted Kecskemét in the 24th round of the OTP Bank Liga at the Groupama Arena. For the last league meeting before the national team break, head coach Robbie Keane named Dibusz - Makreckis, Cissé, Gartenmann, Raul Gustavo, Civic - Tóth, Maiga, Keita - Pesics, Varga B. in the starting eleven.
Before the match, the president of Ferencváros Torna Club, Gábor Kubatov, congratulated Alex Tóth, who was voted the best Fradi footballer of February by the Ferencváros fans.
First half
After the kick-off, the home side immediately went on the attack, showing that they wanted to put serious pressure on the league leaders Puskás Akademia. In the second minute, we were able to take a corner, but the visiting defence broke free. Three minutes later, Kecskemét had a chance from a corner, but Gartenmann jumped up in good pace and headed the ball away. In the 9th minute, Alex Tóth, who is also in the national team, was one of the main players, who received a great ball from Keita and shot the ball powerfully into the middle, where Pesics arrived and slammed the ball into the goal from close range, 1-0! The Serbian striker scored in his third league game in a row.
After the goal, FTC took the initiative, in the 18th minute Civic's free kick was headed in by Cissé, but the French defender's header was not strong enough and Bence Varga saved easily. Four minutes later, Civic rolled the ball into the middle, Alex Tóth arrived and tried to trick the Kecskemét goalkeeper with his header, but the 19-year-old midfielder's chance was missed. Almost every Ferencváros situation was a goal threat, with the away side only occasionally able to hold on to the ball for any length of time.
In the 31st minute, Makreckis lobbed the ball towards the goal and then passed well to Maiga on the right, who sent the ball into the short bottom corner with a right-footed shot, 2-0! No further goals were scored in the first half, and the teams went into the break with a 2-0 Ferencváros lead.
Second half
At the break Kecskemét made two changes, Lukács and Camaj stayed in the dressing room, Pálinkás and López came on.
In the 48th minute, after a fast counter attack, Varga was unselfish in front of goal, but Cissé shot over from close range. Eight minutes later, Pesics stepped up but his shot was cleared by the visitors' goalkeeper, a corner was taken. We kept trying to play through Kecskemét's defence and create chances, but the visiting wall held firm. In the 63rd minute, Raul Gustavo moved in behind the defenders, Civic was well spotted by the Brazilian, but managed to get a shot in off Pesics in the middle.
In the 69th minute, Robbie Keane made another change: Saldanha came on for Barnabas Varga. Two minutes later, Pesics fought for a penalty, which he confidently converted (3-0)! In the 75th minute we made another substitution: Naby Keita was replaced by Abu Fani.
Moments later, the Groupama Arena crowd was on its feet again as Raul Gustavo scored from close range (4-0).
Ferencváros defeated thus Kecskemét 4-0, Robbie Keane's first home league win for Ferencváros, which temporarily moved to the top of the table (Puskás Akadémia will host ZTE in the final match of the round at Pancho Arena at 19.30, and if they win, they will regain their lead).
OTP Bank Liga, Round 24
FTC - Kecskemét 4-0 (2-0)
Budapest, Groupama Arena, 10 107 spectators, Ref.: Csaba Pintér,
Sunday, 16 March 2025, 15.00
FTC: Dibusz - Makreckis, Cissé, Gartenmann (Szalai, 79.), Raul Gustavo, Civic - Tóth, Maiga (Zachariassen, 79.), Keita (Abu Fani, 75.) - Pesics (Ben Romdhane, 79.), Varga B. (Saldanha, 69.)
Head coach: Robbie Keane
Kecskemét: Varga Bence - Berki, Lukács (Pálinkás, at the break), Belényesi, Katona L., Zeke - Katona B. (Bocskay, 67.), Vágó (Vattay, 67.), Rjaskó - Zsótér (Meszhi, 84.), Camaj (López, at the break)
Head coach: Zoltán Gera
Yellow cards: Ben Romdhane (85), resp. Belényesi (36), L. Katona (36), Vágó (57), Vattay (77)
Goals: Pesic (9th, 73rd - penalty), Maiga (31st), Raul Gustavo (78th)
Ferencváros put up a great fight and Pesic scored to win 1-0 at home to DVSC.
Pesic scored in the 80th minute and Saldanha in the 84th minute in a 2-2 draw against Győr.
After 3-3 in normal time, Zachariassen's goal in extra time was the winner in the Cup.
Abu Fani, Makreckis and Ben Romdhane scored in the 3-1 win in Székesfehérvár.
Our men's football team lost 3-0 to Viktoria Plzen, and said goodbye to the UEL.
Ferencváros lost 2-0 to Paks in the 20th round of the championship.
The winning goal in the first match of the playoff match was scored by our midfielder Mohammed Abu Fani.
Ferencváros suffered a 1-0 defeat against Puskás Akadémia.