Ferencváros beaten in Europa League opener

Ferencváros got off to a good start against their illustrious opponents, and quickly took the lead through Ryan Maee, who finished off a slick counter-attack. Fradi continued to impress but Leverkusen gradually took control until the German club became almost camped in the visitors' half towards the end of the first half.

That pressure eventually led to a goal eight minutes before the end of the first period when Palacios equalised for the German team. Both sides subsequently had goals disallowed and Leverkusen continued to dominate after the break, Fradi concentrating on defence and try to counter-attack. As time went on, Peter Stöger's team seemed to tire more and more, but they still pressed for another goal.

However, it was Leverkusen who managed to score what turned out to be the winner with 21 minutes remaining. The hosts then kept the ball well for much of the rest of the game as they sealed a 2-1 success.

Ferencváros fought hard and played very well at times, but ultimately left empty-handed against a club currently lying in sixth place in the German Bundesliga, but will now look to score their first points of the campaign at home against Spanish club Real Betis in their second group match on 30th September.

Europa League, Group G, Round 1:

Bayer Leverkusen (GER) 2-1 Ferencváros (HT: 1-1)
Goalscorers: LEV: Palacios (37), Wirtz (69); FTC: R. Mmaee (8)

Leverkusen: Hradecky - Frimpong, Kossouonu, Tah, Sinkgraven (Hincapie, 66) - Palacios (Aranguiz, 50), Demirbay - Adli (Bellarabi, 67), Wirtz (Amiri, 81), Diaby - Alario (Schick, 66.)

Ferencváros: Dibusz - Wingo, Blazic, S. Mmaee, Civic - Vécsei (Uzuni, 66), Loncar (Gavric, 76) - Nguen, Zachariassen, Zubkov (Cabraja, 86) - R. Mmaee.