Ludogorets unable to break down Ferencvaros

Ludogorets and Ferencvaros played out a strategic 0:0 draw in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League third qualifying round clash. As a result, everything will be decided next Tuesday at the Groupama Arena in Budapest.

In the 6th minute, Ramakers rose above everyone after a corner kick but his header went off target. Around ten minutes later, Caio Vidal delivered a good cross towards Tekpetey, but he failed to make a shot.

Ferencvaros found the net in the 23rd minute. Ludogorets goalkeeper Hendrik Bonmann made a miscalculated move out of goal and failed to clear the ball properly. It landed at the feet of Joseph, who turned and fired into the empty net. Norwegian referee Espen Eskas initially awarded the goal, but after a VAR review, it was ruled out for offside on Fradi’s player Szalai.

Ten minutes later, the Hungarian side built another promising attack down the left. With a bit of luck, the ball again reached Joseph, but this time his shot went wide.

In the 41st minute, Erick Marcus took advantage of a poor buildup from the visitors, shooting from about 40 meters. The ball soared over goalkeeper Dibusz but hit the crossbar, and Dibusz managed to deflect the rebound for a corner. Just before halftime, Varga headed the ball wide following a corner.

Early in the second half, Caio Vidal made a dazzling run down the left, dribbling past three Ferencvaros defenders, but just when he needed to shoot, he failed to pull the trigger. The visitors responded with some fine individual play from Makreckis, who somehow slipped through the Ludogorets defense but sent his shot wide. In the 54th minute, Erick Marcus tried his luck again, but his effort lacked accuracy. Ferencvaros quickly created a chance of their own, but Kanihovski couldn't convert O'Daouda’s cross from the left. Moments later, Jótvös unleashed a real rocket, but it went straight into Bonmann’s hands.

In the 65th minute, Ivaylo Chochev, who had just come on seconds earlier, struck a left-footed volley after a cross from Caio Vidal. Unfortunately for Ludogorets, the ball flew just inches over the crossbar. Around ten minutes later, Caio Vidal tried from about 20 meters, but missed the target. In the 88th minute, a header from Gruber went dangerously close to the goal but missed, and shortly after, a shot from Gartenmann also went wide.