Ferencváros Edges Out of Europe as Karabakh Advances in Thrilling Qualifier Clash
Under the leadership of Stanislav Cherchesov, the Hungarian side Ferencváros faced a tough setback in the Champions League third qualifying round, losing 1:3 to Azerbaijan’s Qarabağ in a dramatic match held away from home. The result marked a decisive moment in a tightly contested tie, with Qarabağ taking control early and maintaining pressure throughout the 90 minutes.
Qarabağ opened the scoring in the 7th minute, when French midfielder Abdellah Zubir found the back of the net to put the Azerbaijani club ahead. As the first half unfolded, Ferencváros faced mounting pressure, and the hosts extended their advantage early in the second period, moving the scoreline to a commanding position. The second goal came from Senegalese striker Ibrahim Vaici, which further widened the gap and put Qarabağ on the path to qualification.
Ferencváros reduced the deficit late in the match, clocking in four minutes before full time when Adam Traore found the net. Despite a late push for another equalizer, the visitors could not overturn the deficit, and Qarabağ secured the tie to advance to the next stage of Europe’s premier club competition.
The two sides had previously met in a 1:1 draw, a result that left the balance of power seemingly poised for a remarkable rematch. In the end, Qarabağ’s early lead and sustained pressure proved decisive, earning them progression to the next round and ending Ferencváros’s hope of reaching the group stage this season. This outcome underscores Qarabağ’s growing strength in European competition and raises questions about Ferencváros’ tactical adjustments in continental play.
Stanislav Cherchesov has been at the helm of Ferencváros since late December 2021. During his tenure, he guided the club to domestic league and cup success, helping them secure a spot in European competition for the 2022/23 campaign. The manager’s approach has been marked by a focus on compact defending combined with a willingness to press high when opportunities arise in attack, a balance that has yielded mixed results across European fixtures.
Recent reports noted disciplinary actions by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) related to fan behavior during Ferencváros’s Champions League matches against Slovan, an episode that added off-field intensity to the club’s European campaign. Such developments emphasize the broad pressures clubs face when competing on multiple fronts and the ongoing concerns about fan conduct in European football. The outcome of this qualifier, though disappointing for Ferencváros, provides a clear signal about the level of competition faced by Hungarian clubs in the modern European landscape, and it sets the stage for strategic adjustments ahead of future continental fixtures [UEFA report].