Overview
Ferencvaros returned to Groupama Arena with a valuable lead after Zachariassen scored a header in the 17th minute, helping the Hungarian team win the first leg last week.
The Norwegian midfielder finished a well-organized attack with a header that defeated goalkeeper Andre Onana, putting the away team ahead early. After that, Ferencvaros maintained solid defense, minimizing dangerous opportunities for the opponent and preserving the net.
The Hungarian champion also benefited from Chibuike Nwaiwu's red card in injury time. The Trabzonspor defender will have to be a spectator in the second leg due to suspension.
Balazs Borbely's team went through a not-so-easy qualifying journey, successively overcoming Vojvodina and Twente before eliminating Gornik Zabrze in the previous round.
Home form also gives Ferencvaros more basis for confidence. They have won two and drawn one in 3 matches at Groupama Arena in European tournaments this season. In the domestic league, Ferencvaros also drew the only match at home, thereby maintaining an unbeaten record after 4 matches.
History is also on the side of the home team. Ferencvaros once defeated Trabzonspor 3-2 at Groupama Arena when the two teams clashed in the group stage of the Europa League in the 2022-2023 season.
However, Trabzonspor came to Budapest with improved spirit after quickly overcoming disappointment in the European arena with an important victory at home.
Fatih Tekke's team defeated Istanbul Basaksehir with a score of 2-1, in which Mohamed Salah scored a double right in his debut match in the Super Lig.
Salah opened the score in the eighth minute after taking advantage of the opponent's goalkeeper's mistake. Basaksehir equalized from the penalty spot, but the Egyptian player quickly put Trabzonspor ahead again just 3 minutes after the second half started.
Personnel situation
Ferencvaros does not have any further injury problems and is likely to maintain the same squad after a full week of preparation for the second leg.
Zachariassen is expected to continue to start after scoring the decisive goal in the first leg in Turkey, while Lenny Joseph will bring speed and flexibility to the attack.
Philippe Rommens and Marius Corbu are likely to take on the role of central midfielders. Coach Borbely may ask his players to be more proactive in controlling the ball, after Ferencvaros only kept the ball for 34% of the time in the first leg.
On Trabzonspor's side, Nwaiwu will be absent due to suspension after the red card in the first leg. Samet Akaydin is expected to replace him in the center-back position.
Okay Yokuslu and Arseniy Batagov cannot participate in the European arena due to fitness issues, while Tim Jabol-Folcarelli continues to be sidelined due to a knee injury.
Attention is also focused on Fabinho, who joined Trabzonspor on a 2-year contract. The former Liverpool midfielder will have the opportunity to reunite with Salah in Turkey.
Expected lineup:
Dibusz, Nagy, Gomez, Raemaekers, Cadu, Dele, Rommens, Corbu, O'Dowda, Joseph, Zachariassen.
Onana, Pina, Savic, Akaydin, Cabral, Bouchouari, Kabasakal, Salah, Nayir, Saviolo, Onuachu.
The match between Ferencvaros and Trabzonspor takes place at 1:30 am on August 28 (Vietnam time).
