Ferencváros Stumbles in League Ahead of Europa League Return Against FC Twente

Ferencváros heads into the decisive Europa League second qualifying round return against FC Twente on Thursday nursing a poor league performance that has left coach Balázs Borbély openly critical. The Hungarian champions lost 4-2 at Paks in their first league fixture of the season on Sunday, a result that Borbély described as a clear warning about the team’s mentality and cohesion.

The defeat came just days after Ferencváros took a 2-1 lead from the first leg in Enschede, but the league display suggests the squad may be struggling to balance domestic and European demands. Borbély made extensive changes to his starting eleven compared to the midweek match against Twente, a decision he later admitted backfired.

Por que importa

Key facts
| Match | Paks 4–2 Ferencváros |
| Competition | Hungarian NB I, Round 1 |
| Date | July 28, 2026 (Sunday) |
| Next fixture | Ferencváros vs FC Twente, Europa League QR2 second leg, July 30, 2026 (Thursday) |

Borbély’s criticism and rotation regrets
Speaking after the match, Borbély did not hide his frustration. “The home team was sharper, more aggressive, and deserved the win based on the second half,” he said, according to Voetbal International. “What hurts more and worries me is that I saw the home team was hungrier for success. They wanted it more.”

Contexto

He acknowledged that rotating so many players – especially those who had little playing time in the European tie – disrupted the team’s rhythm. “This match provided a lot of information. It’s clear that a team that changes so much won’t function well. There is also a psychological side to football, because especially the players who played little in Europe were involved.”

When asked whether the rotation was worth the league defeat with the Twente return in mind, Borbély was blunt. “That we will know on Thursday evening, but in principle no defeat is worth it. What bothers me most is that the aggression and mentality were missing. Those are the basic principles. I don’t know if it was because of the European match, but I don’t want to see this again.”

What this means for the Twente return
The Hungarian side must now reset quickly. The first leg ended 2-1 to Ferencváros, meaning FC Twente need to win by a two-goal margin in Budapest to progress in normal time, or by a single goal to force extra time. The Dutch side will take confidence from the fact that Ferencváros looked vulnerable defensively in the league, conceding four goals to a mid-table Paks side.

Borbély admitted he will likely avoid such heavy rotation in the coming weeks. “We probably cannot overhaul the team from match to match like that, and I don’t want to either. We need to find stability and a balance between European football and the league that is workable.”

For FC Twente, the news that Ferencváros lacks sharpness and cohesion could be a tactical advantage. The Eredivisie side will aim to press early and exploit any defensive disorganization, especially after coming from behind in the first leg. The match is set for Thursday at the Groupama Arena in Budapest.

For the site’s readers, this story provides a timely update on the mood and form of a key Europa League opponent. The angle is match context: the results and statements from the Hungarian league give a clearer picture of what FC Twente can expect in the second leg, and how Ferencváros might adjust their approach.

Source: Voetbal International – “FC Twente kan getergd Ferencváros verwachten: ‘Wil dit niet nog een keer zien’” (https://www.vi.nl/nieuws/twente-opponent-ferencvaros-maakt-er-een-potje-van-wil-dit-niet-nog-eens-zien)

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