The international break provides an opportunity for a bit of assessment with six rounds remaining before the end of Fizz Liga, in other words, at the start of the final sprint. Third-placed DVSC will host FTC next Sunday, and overall can look forward to the closing stage of the league with confidence. Balázs Makray, managing director of DVSC Futball Zrt., gave an interview to dvsc.hu.

– DVSC is performing excellently in the league, sitting 3rd in the table with six rounds remaining, which is a position that qualifies for international competitions. From a managing director’s perspective, what should be highlighted behind this strong performance? After last year’s difficulties, what combination of factors has led to this successful run?

– I am very proud of the team! From a managing director’s perspective as well, our strong performance this year is very pleasing. Everyone knew the background and experienced the difficulties of last season, but despite that, it has been noticeable since the beginning of 2025 that our performance on the pitch has become positive again and is continuously improving. The biggest step forward has naturally been visible since the summer of 2025, and it is particularly commendable that the inconsistency and occasional uncertainty previously present in the company operating the club have not been reflected in the team’s performance. For months now, we have been delivering excellent results. We are by no means undeservedly on the podium, and we can look towards the future with optimism.

– For 14 years, the average attendance at the home matches of Loki has not been as high as it is this season. Back then, the unbeaten championship team had an average of 7,500 spectators, while the current team stands at 6,325. With three more big clashes remaining at home against FTC, Győr and Újpest, DVSC could even break a two-decade attendance record. Additionally, DVSC is the second most-followed Hungarian football club on social media. How can this development be explained?

– We owe a great deal to our supporters, the city, our owners and our sponsors, all of them have a positive impact on the team’s performance on the pitch. Thankfully, our fan base is growing and we are once again being spoken of with appreciation across the country, which is also reflected in the steady increase of these numbers. If we continue like this, even more people will follow us, both at the stadium and on social media and other platforms. Our goal is to improve on all fronts compared to the previous season, and this is clearly noticeable this year.

– DVSC’s past, with its seven league titles, is dazzling, and its present is very encouraging—but what kind of future vision should be imagined?

– We are receiving all the support we could hope for from the new English owner, everything a club aiming to grow could wish for. It is our shared interest and objective to return DVSC to the heights that it reached in the late 2000s. We are building the future together, in cooperation, following their professional guidance, planning developments both in sporting matters and in services for fans, while naturally maintaining responsible financial management. We aim to develop gradually, but it can be said that in the medium term, a club like DVSC with such a stable background can have no other goal than to make qualification for international competitions a realistic objective every year. We have already begun planning and preparing events for the 125th anniversary, which we intend to celebrate in a fitting manner.

– For many years, DVSC did not have a single player called up to the senior national team, but this has now changed: both Donát Bárány and Tamás Szűcs are members of the squad, and notably, both were born in Debrecen. Homegrown players, such as Benedek Erdélyi and Botond Vajda are part of the U21 squad, while a total of eight DVSC players have been included in the U19, U18, and U17 national teams. It seems that effective work is being carried out both at the academy and within the senior team.

– The professional work is continuously improving. With the commendable efforts of Sergio Navarro, the addition of Ádám Bogdán, and the dedicated youth development work led by András Herczeg and his colleagues, this progress is becoming even stronger. A young, talented player needs to play as much as possible during his youth years in order to gain experience and accumulate sufficient minutes on the pitch. The current staff places great emphasis on individual player development, and an increasing number of players are making their debut in senior competitions and training with the first team this season. The work being done with our NB III team is also worth highlighting, as the first step for our young players into senior football is competing in our second team, where Péter Máté has been doing excellent developmental and educational work for years. Thanks and recognition are also due to the partner clubs we cooperate with for their fair attitude and supportive work, as our young players are able to develop in strong professional environments on their path toward our NB I team—in Karcag, Mezőkövesd and at DEAC. All of these factors together make it possible to have so many players in the national teams, and I am confident that their number will continue to grow.

Third-placed DVSC continued the league with another important away match on Sunday, playing as the guests of Puskás Akadémia in Pancho Arena. Among the starting XI was Botond Vajda as well as Dorde Gordic, who has scored against Kazincbarcika and Nyíregyháza too.

The match began at a good pace and many fans from Debrecen accompanied the team. Both sides attempted occasional high pressing, and the first real chance came in the 6th minute, when Balázs Dzsudzsák fired a long-range shot, which Szappanos managed to save. Loki tried to play tactically mature and disciplined football, and in the 14th minute, nearly took the lead, but at the end of a fine counterattack, Donát Bárány lifted the ball just wide of the goal.

DVSC continued to dominate, and in the 22nd minute, after winning the ball, Balázs Dzsudzsák fired a powerful shot just wide of the goal. A minute later, Donát Bárány won possession inside the penalty area and was brought down by Golla. Our national team squad striker confidently converted the clear penalty, scoring his 12th league goal of the season (0–1). In the 30th minute, completely out of the blue, Puskás equalized: after a cross from the left by Samal, Lukács flicked the ball into the net from 7 meters (1–1). In the remaining time before the break, Donát Bárány first threatened with a header, which went over the bar, then Benedek Erdélyi made a fine save to deny the close-range attempt of Lukács. Finally, the home goalkeeper also saved Tamás Szűcs’s header, so the score remained even.

Loki started the 2nd half with an attacking mentality and in the 48th minute, Donát Bárány headed just wide of the goal. It was clear that our team was determined to claim all three points, as Debrecen’s dominance in possession was evident. In the 58th minute, Bence Batik headed over the bar from 13 meters, then came the substitutions: with half an hour remaining, Soma Szuhodovszki and Adrian Guerrero entered the pitch, followed later by Maximilian Hofmann, György Komáromi, and Fran Manzanara.

At the beginning of the endgame, Soma Szuhodovszki shot the ball over the goal from a promising situation, then he took a free-kick from 20 meters, but Szappanos made a brilliant save. DVSC put pressure on their opponent in the final minutes, however, Puskás Akadémia was also dangerous and scored a goal, which was disallowed for offside. During the extra time, György Komáromi curled the ball over the goal and at the end, both teams secured one point.

The next match will be on April 5 against Ferencváros at Nagyerdei Stadium.

According to the coach

Zsolt Hornyák: I’m pleased that those who were given the opportunity today did not disappoint me. Our play was solid, and we were closer to victory than Debrecen.

Sergio Navarro: I’m satisfied with the team’s performance. We had a plan, which we executed. We played well and defended well. We had several chances and at the end, we could secure one point. We have to keep improving and keep going.

Fizz Liga, round 27.

Puskás Akadémia-DVSC 1-1 (1-1).

Pancho Arena, 1586 spectators. Referee: Karakó F.

Puskás Akadémia: Szappanos – Orján, Golla, Markgráf, Nagy Zs. – Duarte, Kern (Magyar Zs., 78.) – Dárdai (Mondovics, 84.), Lukács, Samal (Soisalo, 78.) – Németh A. (Fameyeh, 69.). Head coach: Hornyák Zsolt.

DVSC: Erdélyi – Kusnyir, Lang, Mejías (Hofmann, 80.), Vajda (Guerrero, 64.) – Szűcs T., Batik – Kocsis D. (Manzanara, 89.), Dzsudzsák (Szuhodovszki, 64.), Gordic (Komáromi, 80.) – Bárány. Head coach: Sergio Navarro.

Goal: Lukács (30.) as well as Bárány (24., from penalty).

Yellow card: Németh A. (46.), Lukács (87.) as well as Gordic (43.), Mejías (56.), Lang (93.).

One of the biggest derbies of the spring season awaited DVSC fans this week as our team hosted their ancient rival, Nyíregyháza at Nagyerdei Stadium. The stands were full and the atmosphere was fantastic, and the returning Josua Mejías was among the starting XI.

Before the match, we had the chance to greet not only the current favourites on the pitch, but also the legends of the 124-year history of DVSC. League titles, cup victories, the Champions League – so many wonderful memories that we owe to the icons of Loki. As they entered the field, Csaba Bernáth, Péter Czvitkovics, Ronald Habi, András Herczeg, Béla Horváth, György Kerekes, Zsombor Kerekes, Elemér Kondás, Csaba Madar, Norbert Mészáros, Csaba Sándor and Tamás Sándor were welcomed with huge applause. Thank you for everything, it was wonderful, guys!

Our captain, Balázs Dzsudzsák, played his 200th match in NBI last week against Kazincbarcika. Our record-holding international star made this milestone memorable with a beautiful free-kick goal – though that is hardly a rarity, as he now has a total of 42 goals and 52 assists in the Hungarian top division. On this special occasion, Tamás Sándor congratulated our captain. Congratulations to Balázs Dzsudzsák!

The match started with a vivid pace and a lot of duels. Dominik Kocsis had the first chance, but he fired the ball into the side netting from 13 meters. In the 16th minute, Balázs Dzsudzsák tested the goalkeeper of Nyíregyháza with a shot from 20 meters, which he saved. Following the corner, Josua Mejías headed the ball into the net, but it was disallowed for offside. Loki played well and in the 23rd minute, Donát Bárány nodded the ball towards the net, but Kovács made a brilliant save. In the next minutes, the play became more balanced and no goals were scored until the break.

At the beginning of the 2nd half, Nyíregyháza took the lead out of nowhere – more precisely, from a corner-kick. In the 57th minute, Temesvári headed home from close-range (0-1). Following the goal, Loki put more pressure on the opponent. In the 71st minute, Balázs Dzsudzsák curled wide off the goal from distance, then György Komáromi came off the bench.

At the beginning of the final minutes, György Komáromi produced a brilliant curling shot, but the ball rebounded off the right post. Then, in the 77th minute, the well-deserved equalizer came. The ball went from Dzsudzsák to Bárány, then to Gordic, who shot it into the net from 14 meters (1-1). In the closing stages, but fight became more intense, but no more goals were scored, so the match ended in a draw.

The next match will be next Sunday in Felcsút.

According to the coach

Sergio Navarro: I am satisfied with the performance of the team as we could create chances in both halves. Our opponent took the lead after a corner, but we could stay stable mentally and managed to equalize. I’m really glad for that because it was a tough derby.

Tamás Bódog: The derby had its own atmosphere and the fans got what they have expected. There was passion on both sides, which is essential for a match like this. My team also played with great passion and performed well. For us, the result is a success as we earned a point that is important in the fight to avoid relegation.

Fizz Liga, round 26.

DVSC-Nyíregyháza 1-1 (0-0).

Nagyerdei Stadion, 10 884 néző. Vezette: Bognár T.

DVSC: Erdélyi – Kusnyir, Lang, Mejías, Guerrero – Szűcs T., Batik – Kocsis D. (Komáromi, 73.), Dzsudzsák, Gordic – Bárány. Head coach: Sergio Navarro.

Nyíregyháza: Kovács D. – Jovanov, Dreskovic, Temesvári, Katona L. – Manner (Toma, 46.), Katona B. (Katona M., 72.), Kovács M., Antonov (Bitri, 90+1.) – Kvasina, Tijani (Edomwonyi, 72.). Head coach: Bódog Tamás.

Goal: Gordic (77.) as well as Temesvári (57.).

Yellow card: Bárány (43.), Dzsudzsák (45+3.), Batik (78.), Komáromi (79.) as well as Temesvári (78.), Edomwonyi (86.).

DVSC, which has been sitting on the podium, faced an away challenge in the 25th round of Fizz Liga, playing against Kazincbarcika in Diósgyőr on Women’s Day. Due to suspension, Ádám Lang was out of the squad, while Botond Vajda, Dominik Kocsis and Dorde Gordic were among the starting XI.

Living up to their status as favourites of the match, DVSC took the initiative right from the beginning, although clear-cut chances took some time to develop. In the 16th minute, Balázs Dzsudzsák tested the goalkeeper of Kazincbarcika with a long-range shot that he saved with some difficulty, and shortly afterwards, Dominik Kocsis curled the ball just over the crossbar.

Hundreds of fans accompanied our team to Miskolc and they had a reason to be celebrate. At first, Benedek Erdélyi made an excellent save to deny Trencsényi’s 14-meter shot, then in the 22nd minute, Loki took the lead! After a cross from Tamás Szűcs, the defenders of Kazincbarcika managed to clear, but shortly, and Dorde Gordic struck the ball into the net from 11 meters (0-1).

DVSC dominated in the next minutes as well, although Kazincbarcika also had a few attempts. In the 35th minute, our team scored another goal, but Donát Bárány’s close-range shot was disallowed for offside. Until the break, DVSC led some promising attacks, but the score did not change until halftime.

At the start of the second half, Loki’s will continued to prevail, though neither goal was under serious threat. This remained the case until the 55th minute, when Benedek Erdélyi had to deny the attempt of Norbert Könyves, who came on as a substitution. In the 60th minute, DVSC appeared to double their lead: after a through pass from Balázs Dzsudzsák, Dominik Kocsis broke free and from 12 meters on the left fired into the bottom-left corner. However, the goal was disallowed for handball.

At the beginning of the final minutes, Tamás Szűcs tested the home goalkeeper from distance, who managed to push the ball away with difficulty. Then in the 68th minute came the fourth goal attempt—this time the second valid one—for Loki: following Balázs Dzsudzsák’s corner, Dorde Gordic flicked the ball towards the far post, and the arriving Donát Bárány headed it into the net from a few steps out (0–2).

Thus, the fate of the three points has been decided. In the remaining time, Tamás Szűcs struck the post, and Vyacheslav Kulbachuk, György Komáromi, Dávid Patai, Víctor Camarasa and Gergő Tercza came on as substitutions. In the 81st minute, Balázs Dzsudzsák scored a very clever free-kick from 17 meters (0-3). With this victory, Loki recorded the 12th win of the season and strengthened their position on the podium.

The next match will be against Nyíregyháza on Saturday at Nagyerdei Stadium.

According to the coach

Attila Kuttor: There wasn’t a three goal difference between the two teams, we were equal opponents of Debrecen, but could not be effective in converting our chances.

Sergio Navarro: I am satisfied with the match, we had a plan, which worked well. The goals came and we collected three important points.

Fizz Liga, round 258.

Kazincbarcika-DVSC 0-3 (0-1).

DVTK Stadion, 929 spectators. Referee: Derdák M.

Kazincbarcika: Kocsis B. – Nyíri, Rasheed, Radkowski, Ferenczi – Meskhi (Szőke, 84.), Berecz (Ikoba, 73.) – Meshack, Schuszter (Kártik, 73.), Trencsényi (Pukhtieiev, 60.) – Klausz (Könyves, 46.). Head coach: Kuttor Attila.

DVSC: Erdélyi – Kusnyir (Tercza, 87.), Batik, Hofmann, Vajda (Komáromi, 77.) – Szűcs T., Youga – Kocsis D. (Kulbachuk, 77.), Dzsudzsák (Patai, 84.), Gordic (Camarasa, 84.) – Bárány. Head coach: Sergio Navarro.

Goal: Gordic (22.), Bárány (68.), Dzsudzsák (81.).

Yellow card: Berecz (35.), Radkowski (64.) as well as Batik (31.), Hofmann (72.), Youga (75.).

In one week, on March 12, we will celebrate the birthday of DVSC, founded in 1902 — the international Loki Day. This is the day when we clearly show that we belong to one family. We may be different, yet we are one. Wherever we are and whatever we’re doing, on March 12 let’s put on our Loki jersey, T-shirt, scarf or hat, and show the world that we stand together. Show that you are a true Loki supporter too!

Our striker talked to Loki TV about the match against MTK, his beautiful goal and the upcoming match against Kazincbarcika on Sunday.

DVSC played a 2–2 draw against MTK in the 24th round of Fizz Liga and the professional sports media highlighted the outstanding performances of two of our players.
At M4 Sport, alongside Donát Bárány, who scored twice, Tamás Szűcs, who provided the assist, was also named in the team of the round. Our striker’s brilliant backheel goal was chosen as the most beautiful goal of the matchday.

Csakfoci included Donát Bárány in the team of the week, while at Nemzeti Sport both our homegrown forward and Tamás Szűcs were selected to be among the best players. According to the sports daily, the best player of the 24th round was the scorer of the most beautiful goal, Donát Bárány, who received a rating of 8.
Congratulations to our players!

After 23 rounds, our team, sitting third in the table, hosted MTK at Nagyerdei Stadium on this cold Friday evening. Due to suspension, Josua Mejías was out of the squad, while Dominik Kocsis and Dorde Gordic got a place among the starting XI.

The match was preceded by a joyful moment. Our top scorer, Donát Bárány has reached 100 first-division matches in the colours of Loki and celebrated this jubilee with a goal against Paks. Our homegrown striker was congratulated by sporting director Ádám Bogdán on reaching this significant milestone. Well done, Dodó!

At the very beginning of the match, MTK made a few attacks, but tactically, our team’s will prevailed. The first chance came in the 17th minute, but the guest team’s goalkeeper saved Erik Kusnyir’s header. As time passed by, our team took control of the game, pressed and dominated on the pitch. In the 26th minute, Donát Bárány shot just wide off the goal from 17 meters. Not long after, Hegyi saved the longe-range attempt of Tamás Szűcs. The goalkeeper of MTK made a brilliant save to deny Dorde Gordic’s curl in the 36th minute, so no goals were scored until halftime.

Amos Youga came off the bench for the 2nd half and Loki increased the pressure. In the 54th minute, Donát Bárány didn’t shot the ball well in a goal-scoring situation, but we did score in the 60th minute! Amos Youga passed to Tamás Szűcs on the right, who centered well and the arriving Donát Bárány curled the ball beautifully into net with his heel from close-range (1-0).

DVSC deserved the goal for playing better than their opponent. In the next minutes, our team still attacked and managed to double the advantage. At the end of a great attack, Dorde Gordic passed the ball to Donát Bárány within the box, who confidently converted the clear-cut chance (2-0). Soma Szuhodovszki and Flórián Cibla came on for the endgame, however, MTK pulled one back. In the 75th minute, Németh Hunor shot the ball into the left corner from 14 meters (2-1), and one minute later, MTK equalized due to Kerezsi, who was left alone (2-2).

Thus, the endgame was full of unexpected excitement. Loki attacked, but Benedek Erdély’s feat was also necassary in order to deny Hunor Németh’s powerful shot. During the extra time, neither of the teams scored, so the match ended in a draw.

The next match will be against Kazincbarcika in Diósgyőr.

According to the coach

Sergio Navarro: It was an amazing match. We played well and knew what we had to do on the pitch, and we were also leading with two goals. Then, we conceded two goals within one minute, but I’m happy that we managed to deal with it mentally. We earned one point, but we would have deserved more. I’m satisfied with the team and we need to continue improving.

Máté Pinezits: We started well, but then we quickly passed away the ball that we recovered. After that DVSC was in a sensational flow, but I’m glad that we stood still and were able to equalize. I’m proud of the team.

Fizz Liga, round 24.

DVSC-MTK 2-2 (0-0).

Nagyerdei Stadion, 4012 spectators. Referee: Káprály M.

DVSC: Erdélyi – Kusnyir, Lang, Hofmann (Youga, 46.), Guerrero – Szűcs T., Batik – Kocsis D. (Szuhodovszki, 74.), Dzsudzsák, Gordic (Cibla, 74.) – Bárány. Head coach: Sergio Navarro.

MTK: Hegyi – Armalas, Beriashvili, Kádár, Vitályos – Kata (Horváth A., 85.), Zeljkovic – Molnár Á. (Kerezsi, 62.), Bognár I. (Németh H., 71.), Jurek (Átrok, 62.) – Jurina (Németh K., 71.). Head coach: Pinezits Máté.

Goal: Bárány (60., 69.) as well as Németh H. (75.), Kerezsi (76.).

Yellow card: Lang (49.), Batik (51.), Youga (91.) as well as Jurina (37.).

DVSC signed the Nigerian Stephen Odey. The 28-year-old 182-cm tall striker has recently played in the ranks of the Danish Randers FC and also made his debut in the Nigerian national team. He is a Swiss cup winner and a Belgian Super Cup winner.

Stephen Odey has had an excellent career with a great number of goals. He started his European career in the Swiss first division, playing in the colours of Zürich, after which he continued at the Belgian Genk. During his time at Genk, he played on loan at the French Amiens SC and the Danish Randers, with the latter signing him permanently in 2022.

Stephen Odey is an out-and-out striker. Throughout his career, he scored 83 goals in various leagues. Overall, he scored 40 goals in the Swiss first division, the Danish Super League, the French second division, the Europa League and the Conference League. Moreover, he has also been successful in the Champions League, scoring against Liverpool in the colours of Genk.

Welcome to DVSC, Stephen!

DVSC, which has been performing well and has been standing on the podium, faced Zalagerszeg away in the first match of the third part of Fizz Liga 2025/26. Due to minor injuries, Julien Dacosta, Álex Bermejo and Víctor Camarasa were out of the squad, while Tamás Szűcs was missing due to suspension. However, head coach Sergio Navarro, Dominik Kocsis and Bence Batik were back on track after serving their ban. Among the starting XI were Maximilian Hofmann, Adrian Guerrero, Flórián Cibla, Dorde Gordic and György Komáromi as well.

At the very beginning of the match, both teams tried to play in a thoughtful and tactically disciplined manner. For a long time, no clear-cut chances were created, and the play was also stopped for several minutes due to issues with the referee’s communication equipment.

Our supporters, who travelled such a long distance on Sunday afternoon (many thanks for that!), supported our team, which worked hard in order to stop the quick attacks of ZTE. This was largely successful, although in the 20th minute, Skribek Alen broke through dangerously. In the 22nd minute, after a 20-metre shot by Flórián Cibla, the goalkeeper of ZTE made a confident save, and a minute later Joao Victor’s clear-cut chance was denied by a brilliant save from Benedek Erdélyi. However, in the 24th minute, ZTE took the lead: after a cross from the left, Peraza was able to head home easily from close range into the left side of the net (1–0).

In the 28th minute, Pereza fouled György Komáromi on purpose, but he received only a yellow card. In the 30th minute, Soma Szuhodovszki made a powerful shot from 13 meters, but it went over the goal. In the final minutes of the first half, DVSC was dominating, but could not score any goals until halftime, although only a few centimetres were missing from Bence Batik’s cross.

The second half started with the possession of Loki, yet in the 51st minute, Joao Victor missed a 100% chance after dribbling past the goalkeeper. Donát Bárány and Dominik Kocsis came off the bench for the last 30 minutes (later Botond Vajda, Márk Szécsi and Dávid Patai also came on, the latter made his debute) and Loki tried to play more dangerous football. It paid off: in the 64th minute, DVSC equalized. Balázs Dzsudzsák made a fantastic pass in behind the defence, and the arriving Adrian Guerrero beat the goalkeeper and headed the ball into the net from 6 meters (1-1).

At the start of the closing stages the sides were level, but it felt as though at least one more goal was in the game. In the 81st minute, it almost came: after a cross by Dominik Kocsis, Donát Bárány dived forward and headed narrowly wide off the goal. In the end, neither team found a second goal, so the match finished with a draw and DVSC earned another valuable point.

According to the coach

Nuno Campos: It was a tough tactical game against a strong opponent. We missed a clear-cut chance at the beginning of the second half and we had scored, we would have probably won the match. That didn’t happen and DVSC equalized, perhaps it was the decisive moment.

Sergio Navarro: I’m satisfied with our performance and the effort that we have showed. We took the balls many times and at the end, we take one point, which is not easy at the home of ZTE.

Fizz Liga, round 23.

ZTE-DVSC 1-1 (1-0).

Zalaegerszeg, 3521 spectators. Referee: Zierkelbach P.

ZTE: Gundel-Takács – Csonka (André Ferreira, 68.), Peraza, Várkonyi, Calderon – Kiss B., Szendrei N., Amato, Skribek – Joao Victor (Daniel Lima, 64.), Maxsuell (Teixeira, 80.). Head coach: Nuno Campos.

DVSC: Erdélyi – Kusnyir (Szécsi, 86.), Lang, Hofmann, Guerrero – Batik, Dzsudzsák (Patai, 86.), Gordic – Komáromi (Kocsis D., 60.), Szuhodovszki (Vajda, 72.), Cibla (Bárány, 60.). Head coach: Sergio Navarro.

Goal: Peraza (24.) as well as Guerrero (64.).

Yellow card: Peraza (28.), Calderon (40.)., Kiss B. (86.) as well as Szuhodovszki (54.), Gordic (66.), Mejías (83., on the bench), Bárány (89.).

Dejan Djokic has left DVSC. The 25-year-old Swiss striker arrived in Debrecen last summer on loan from FC Sion. Overall, he played in 5 league matches in the colours of DVSC. We wish him good luck!

A classic historic clash was ahead of DVSC on Friday evening in the capital, playing against Újpest in the 22th round of Fizz Liga. Bence Batik, Dominik Kocsis and Sergio Navarro were suspended and Álex Pallares substituted our head coach this time as well. Julien Dacosta and Víctor Camarasa were out of the squad, while Álex Bermejo got an opportunity to start.

At the beginning of the match, Loki ceded some space to the home team, who made a few attempts, but could not create any serious chances. A few minutes later, DVSC took the initiative, but for around 15 minutes, there was no danger in front of the goals. In the 14th minute, Soma Szuhodovszki made a shot from distance, but Banai saved it. Immediately afterwards, Újpest scored. In the 15th minute, following an oddly curling cross from the left, Matko nodded home from close range at the far post (1–0).

Thus, Újpest was leading, but in the 24th minute, Loki was awarded a penalty after an obvious handball (by Stronati) within the box. Dzsudzsák took on the penalty, but the ball went wide off the goal. It was a missed chance as well as Donát Bárány’s attempt in the 27th minute. Our team pushed forward in order to equalize, but could not score. The scored remained unchanged until the break.

At the beginning of the 2nd half, Loki dominated, while Újpest focused on defense and quick attacks. Then, in the 55th minute, there was another turning point when Tamás Szűcs received his second yellow card and he was sent-off the pitch.

From that point on, the task looked very difficult; it is never easy to earn points when trailing both in goals and in numbers. DVSC still tried, of course: in the 62nd minute, Álex Bermejo missed Soma Szuhodovszki’s pass by centimeters in front of the goal, but in the 64th minute Újpest struck again. After a cross from the right, Matko was once again left unmarked at the far post and finished from close range (2–0). Yet in the 67th minute, Loki pulled one back! Amos Youga unleashed a shot from around 30 metres, the ball deflected and ended up in the net (2–1).

There was plenty of excitement left for the final minutes as Loki pushed for an equaliser even with ten men. Fran Manzanara, György Komáromi, Dorde Gordic and Márk Szécsi came off the bench. In the 80th minute, Botond Vajda shot just wide off the goal, then Benedek Erdélyi made a crucial save in a one-on-one situation. In the closing moments, our team gave everything, while Újpest also created chances, hit the post and even had a goal ruled out for offside. In the end, no more goals were scored, and this time we left without any points.

The next match will be away against Zalaegerszeg next Sunday.

According to the coach

Zoltán Szélesi: We are working. Each player showed an exemplary attitude and I’m happy with our first victory of the year.

Alex Pallarés: We are proud of the team as we had chances even with 10 men. Sometimes we miss a penalty, but the mentality that we’ve showed can move us forward in this season.

Fizz Liga, round 22.

Újpest-DVSC 2-1 (1-0).

Szusza-stadium, 4279 spectators. Referee: Bogár G.

Újpest: Banai – Bodnár G. (Bese, 78.), Nunes, Stronati, Fiola – Fenyő, Vlijter (Beridze, 57.) – Matko (Brodic, 68.), Ljujic (Lacoux, 78.), Tucic – Gradisar (Krajcsovics, 68.). Head coach: Szélesi Zoltán.

DVSC: Erdélyi – Kusnyir (Szécsi, 80.), Mejías, Lang, Vajda (Cibla, 88.) – Szűcs T., Youga (Manzanara, 70.) – Szuhodovszki (Komáromi, 70.), Dzsudzsák, Bermejo (Gordic, 70.) – Bárány. Head coach: Sergio Navarro.

Goal: Matko (15, 64..) as well as Youga (67.).

Yellow card: Vlijter (37.), Matko (44.) as well as Szűcs T. (40., 55.), Komáromi (75.).

Sent-off: Szűcs T. (55.).