Ferencvarosi TC were held to a 1–1 draw by Panathinaikos at the Groupama Arena in Budapest on Thursday night, a result that keeps both clubs on course for the UEFA Europa League knockouts but leaves the hosts ruing a lost lead. In a tight League Stage – 7 encounter overseen by referee Mykola Balakin, Dele’s second-half penalty looked set to preserve Ferencvaros’ unbeaten campaign before substitute Anass Zaroury struck late. The point moves Robert David Keane’s side to 15 points and seventh in the overall standings, while Rafael Benitez’s Panathinaikos climb to 11 points and remain in the top-24 picture.
First-half analysis
The opening 45 minutes were cagey and largely defined by structure rather than incident. Ferencvaros lined up in a proactive 3-4-2-1, with Yusuf Bamidele spearheading the attack and Jonathan Levi and Kristoffer Zachariassen supporting, while Benitez’s Panathinaikos set out in a compact 5-4-1 built around Karol Świderski up front and a five-man defensive line.
Clear chances were at a premium, and the only major entry in the referee’s notebook came on 40', when Anastasios Bakasetas was booked for a foul, underlining Panathinaikos’ willingness to disrupt Ferencvaros between the lines. With the score 0–0 at the break and no goals or penalties awarded, both sides went in knowing that a single moment could tilt a finely balanced tactical duel.
Second half and tactical shifts
The match pivoted just after the hour. On 61', VAR confirmed a penalty for Ferencvaros following an incident involving Cadu, and one minute later, on 62', Dele stepped up to convert from the spot, breaking the deadlock and rewarding Keane’s side for their pressure after the interval.
Both coaches reacted around the 73' mark. Keane made his first change for Ferencvaros, withdrawing Jonathan Levi and sending on midfielder Bence Ötvös, a move that suggested a desire for fresher legs and more control in the middle rather than pure attacking width. Benitez responded with a double substitution: Renato Sanches went off for forward Anass Zaroury, and Erik Palmer-Brown made way for defender Giannis Kotsiras. Introducing Zaroury for a midfielder signalled a more attacking intent from Panathinaikos, while Kotsiras’ arrival helped reshuffle the back line without sacrificing defensive numbers.
Ferencvaros’ Toon Raemaekers was booked for time wasting on 79', an indication that the hosts were keen to protect their narrow lead. A minute later, on 80', Keane replaced goalscorer Dele with forward Lenny Joseph, a like-for-like change designed to maintain a pressing outlet up front.
Benitez pushed again on 85', taking off left-sided defender Georgios Kyriakopoulos and introducing attacking midfielder Miloš Pantović, another clear attacking adjustment as Panathinaikos chased an equaliser. The gamble paid off almost immediately: on 86', Zaroury, the earlier substitute, found the net with a normal-play goal, finishing a move assisted by right-back Davide Calabria to make it 1–1.
Keane’s final throw of the dice came on 87', when defender Gábor Szalai was withdrawn and midfielder Ádám Madarász came on, adding more energy and ball-playing ability from deeper areas as Ferencvaros tried to wrest back momentum. The closing stages were fractious: Júlio Romão received a yellow card for a foul on 90+5', while Świderski was booked for an argument on 90'. In stoppage time, on 90+2', Benitez removed Świderski and introduced forward Vicente Taborda, but there was no time left for a winner.
Statistical deep dive
Across the 90 minutes, Panathinaikos controlled 53% of the ball to Ferencvaros’ 47%, reflecting Benitez’s preference for measured possession. Yet passing accuracy was identical: both sides completed 76% of their passes (Ferencvaros 308 of 407, Panathinaikos 353 of 463), underlining how evenly matched the contest was in terms of ball circulation.
In attack, the numbers tell a nuanced story. Panathinaikos edged total shots 11–10 and had more efforts on target (3–2), but Ferencvaros generated far better quality chances. The hosts posted an expected goals figure of 1.49 compared to just 0.61 for the visitors, suggesting that Keane’s team carved out the clearer opportunities despite shooting slightly less. Both goalkeepers were rarely overworked: Dánid Gróf made 2 saves, Alban Lafont just 1, consistent with a match of few truly clear-cut openings.
Discipline also framed the narrative. Ferencvaros committed 17 fouls to Panathinaikos’ 9 and collected two yellow cards (Raemaekers, Romão), mirroring their more combative, front-foot approach once in front. Panathinaikos also received two bookings (Bakasetas, Świderski), but with fewer fouls overall, their defensive structure relied more on positioning than persistent infringement.
Standings and implications
The draw keeps Ferencvarosi TC unbeaten in the Europa League League Stage, with 4 wins and 3 draws from 7 matches, 12 goals scored and 7 conceded. They sit 7th with 15 points and a +5 goal difference, maintaining their status in the promotion slots for the Europa League play-offs (1/8-finals) and extending a strong run of form (DWDWW). Panathinaikos, now on 11 points with a +2 goal difference in 19th place, remain on track for the 1/16-finals play-offs. Their away record (2 wins, 1 draw, 1 defeat, 7–5 goals) underlines that Benitez’s side are an awkward, resilient opponent on the road – and Zaroury’s late leveller in Budapest may prove a pivotal moment in their European campaign.
