MOL Hungarian Cup: Paks aim to shock favourites Fradi

On Wednesday, from 19.30 onwards, Ferencváros and Paksi FC will do battle in front of more than 30,000 fans in the Puskás Arena, with the MOL Hungarian Cup at stake. Underdogs Paks have already proved their ability to beat the newly-reconfirmed Hungarian championship winners in the league this season, and their aim now is to confound the form on paper again. The official pre-match press conference was also held in the Puskás Arena, and was attended by the two head coaches and two team captains.

Ferencváros head coach Stanislav Cherchesov emphasised that in order for his team's season to be complete, it must win on Wednesday.

"A cup final is always a festival of football and we want to play accordingly on Wednesday. We have to play football to the best of our ability, I am very happy that more than 30,000 fans will definitely be there. I hope for a good performance after the bad rehearsal from the team in the league last weekend. Our season would be complete if we'd win this competition too as well", Cherchesov added.

Meanwhile, Paks head coach György Bognár was bullish about his side's chances. "It won't be just a cup match; it's the final. You don't need to play well in a final, but you must win", Bognár stated. "Ferencváros possesses more capable, faster, more creative, more proactive players, but that doesn't mean we don't have a chance to win the cup. I believe my team has a chance of success and I'm sure we will show put up a good fight in the match. We have to adapt to Ferencváros, but also to stay true to our own strengths", said Bognár, who also revealed that after defeat in the Cup to Budafok last year, the club management and staff decided to take the competition even more seriously this season, this final appearance being the result.

The two head coaches were then followed by the two team captains:

"Matches against Paks are quite eventful, but the final is a different bet than the championship. I wonder how much Paks will play their usual game, as I've noticed that they've been much more careful against us so far; paid more attention to their defense, they didn’t play in a kamikaze way. I expect them to attack from an organized defensive base and I'm confident we will be able to react well to this, unlike our home league game. If we keep their forwards in check, we have a good chance of winning. We’ve played quite a few intense matches on the international stage lately and have become used to the fact that every touch of the ball can be of great significance, so this kind of routine can be an advantage for us in Wednesday’s match", commented Ferencváros goalkeeper and captain Dénes Dibusz.

Meanwhile, his Paks counterpart, striker Daniel Böde, is confident that the stakes, the plethora of fans and the venue will bring out the best in his teammates who have not yet experienced a match like this.

"It's certain that no one will have to be motivated: in the Puskás Arena, in the Cup final, against Fradi, everyone is trying to give their best. I hope that the best performance of everyone will come from those who will create an extraordinary atmosphere, the tens of thousands of fans", former Ferencváros forward Böde concluded.