Celtic v Ferencváros Preview: In Conversation with Hungarian Football Writer, Simon Zoli
Ahead of Thursday’s Europa League opener against Ferencváros, I caught up with Simon Zoli - Editor-in-Chief at NB1.hu and one of the leading voices in Hungarian football - for his insight on the Budapest side and where they might test Celtic.
Ferencváros’ start under Balázs Borbély
Zoli, thanks for speaking to A Celtic State of Mind. To begin, how do you assess Ferencváros’ start under Balázs Borbély, especially after the early setbacks against Paks and Vasas?
"Ferencváros’ start to the season only makes sense when you look at the wider context. Borbély replaced Robbie Keane in the summer, arriving as a reigning champion after leading ETO FC to the title ahead of Fradi. In many ways, though, this is a homecoming - he began his coaching career in the Ferencváros youth system.
He also has a longstanding relationship with sporting director Tamás Hajnal from their time together at Kaiserslautern in 2006/07. Their friendship dates back to that season, and Borbély even handed Hajnal the No. 30 shirt he had worn at Sint-Truiden.
This summer brought wholesale change. It wasn’t just a new head coach - almost the entire staff was replaced, and half of the 40-man squad departed. New signings continued to arrive until the end of August. So, against Paks and Vasas, we were essentially watching a completely rebuilt Ferencváros.
Paks have been one of Hungary’s most dangerous attacking sides for several seasons. After that match, Borbély said the key lesson wasn’t rotation or even the result - it was that Ferencváros must approach every game with full intensity because every opponent raises its level against FTC.
Even during their run of consecutive titles, Fradi had spells of less convincing domestic form. Their failure to win the league last season was largely down to dropped points at home.
Paks have scored more goals than any Hungarian club in recent years. That match also marked József Szalai’s return from a second-division loan - he scored twice, has been excellent since, and supporters are now calling for him to be included in the national team. Paks coach György Bognár, voted Hungary’s best coach several times, said afterwards he still expects Ferencváros to become champions.
Vasas, newly promoted but financially stable, had their squad settled early and currently sit third after seven rounds. I felt the draw was fair. By the end, Fradi had almost their strongest XI on the pitch, created chances, and had a numerical advantage. Ádám Nagy didn’t play - he had just returned from Italy after ten years abroad and has since been one of Ferencváros’ best players.
In Hungarian terms, the closest comparison to Celtic–Ferencváros is Ferencváros–Újpest, the Derbi. It’s the country’s biggest rivalry. The most recent meeting was sold out, played in a superb atmosphere, and Újpest came back from 2–0 down. In my view, they will be Fradi’s main challengers for the title."
Tactical expectations for Thursday
How do you expect Ferencváros to set up tactically on Thursday, and what has changed under Borbély compared to Robbie Keane?
"It’s hard to make a direct comparison because 20 players left and the starting XI has changed almost completely. We don’t know what system Keane would have preferred with this group. What has remained consistent is that Ferencváros fields its strongest available side in European matches and adjusts tactically depending on the venue and the stage of the tie.
The best reference point is the away playoff against Trabzonspor. Fradi defended in a classic 4-4-2. Olivér Nagy made his debut at right-back and was one of the best players on the pitch. They are extremely quick in wide areas, so their shape shifts significantly between defensive and attacking phases, especially in transition.
In possession, a 4-2-1-3 structure is common, particularly when play flows through Ádám Nagy. He is the brain of the team - its organiser and on-field leader. Personally, I would bring him back into the Hungary squad; he hasn’t been selected for the most recent matches."
Hungarian perception of Celtic’s form
Celtic have lost heavily in their two biggest games this season - LASK and Rangers. Is there a sense in the Hungarian media that Celtic are vulnerable?
"I haven’t really sensed that. What is expected is qualification for Ferencváros. The general view is that, aside from Juventus, Fradi should aim to secure the necessary results primarily in their home matches.
Celtic’s 3–0 defeat to Rangers was reported in a very matter-of-fact way. When there is no Hungarian involvement, the media tends to be objective. Even when there is Hungarian interest, journalists try to remain balanced - though strong performances can lead to immediate praise, while poor ones can trigger dramatic reactions."
Key Ferencváros players
Who should Celtic be most wary of in the Ferencváros lineup? Kristoffer Zachariassen always impresses me - is he still the standout?
"Zachariassen is indispensable. He’s the type of foreign player who doesn’t block Hungarian talent but sets an example through his performances and professionalism.
However, Ferencváros’ biggest threat comes from the wide areas. Lenny Joseph is extremely dangerous and showed his quality with Haiti at the World Cup. For me, though, the key player is Ádám Nagy. He is the most intelligent player in the team, extremely secure in possession, and his passing is very accurate."
Will history repeat at Celtic Park?
Ferencváros won at Celtic Park in 2020 - could they do it again?
"Ferencváros need a good result for several reasons, and I believe they are capable of getting one. They haven’t lost away from home in the Europa League this season, despite facing Vojvodina, Twente, Górnik Zabrze, and Trabzonspor.
Their defending inside the box is very solid, and they are extremely dangerous in wide areas. That combination suits them particularly well away from home, especially against opponents considered stronger on paper.
If the opponent’s Transfermarkt squad value is only four or five times higher than Ferencváros’, I believe they can beat them at any time - even away. That’s especially true because Borbély is not only a strong training-ground coach and man-manager, but he also reads matches well and reacts quickly."
Transfermarkt Squad Values: Celtic: €118.4m | Ferencváros: €34.85m
Celtic’s reputation in Hungary
What is the general perception of Celtic in the Hungarian football media?
"Celtic–Rangers matches receive major coverage in Hungary, and Scottish league games are broadcast on television. Both clubs have sizeable supporter bases here. Videos of Celtic’s fans and the atmosphere at Celtic Park circulate widely on Hungarian social media, not just among dedicated fan groups.
Scotland’s national team supporters have also been among the most popular visiting fanbases in Hungary, alongside Norway. There has traditionally been a positive atmosphere between Hungarian and Scottish supporters when the national teams meet.
Both in the media and among fans, Hungarian football followers fully understand Celtic’s place in Scottish, European, and world football. There is deep respect for clubs with major traditions and outstanding fanbases."
Zoli, thanks once again.
Zoli’s view that Ferencváros can leave Celtic Park with all three points was also echoed by Károly Pór of Nemzeti Sport, whom I also caught up with.
“In my opinion, if Ferencváros can play against Celtic using the same counter-attack tactics we saw in Enschede and Trabzonspor, then they can score and win in Glasgow. But if Fradi can’t play on the counter, and Celtic put them under pressure, the Scottish giants will win.
I don’t know which is the true face of Celtic: the one that played the first game against LASK, or the one that played the second game.”
That’s a question that many Celtic fans have been asking in recent days. There’s not long until we find out which team will take to the park on Thursday evening.
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