DVSC travelled to Paks in round 7 of OTP Bank Liga. Besides the injured players, head coach Gert Remmel could not on Bence Batik and Josua Mejías due to suspension. Among the starting XI were a few young and homegrown players, such as Gergő Tercza, Dénes Szakál and Imre Egri, who made his debut in NB I at the age of 19.

Paks came out aggressively in the opening minutes and looked to put Loki under pressure, but our defence stood firm and the hosts did not create any real chances. DVSC, on the other hand, made the most of their first opportunity, taking the lead in the 6th minute after a brilliant attacking move. Dénes Szakál played the ball out from the back, Vilmos Dénes released Adrian Guerrero down the left and the winger delivered a cross into the box. After Imre Egri’s header, Ákos Szendrei nodded the ball home from close range to make it 0–1.

Loki continued to dominate, however, in the 12th minute, Andrejev had to produce a brilliant save to deny Szalai’s header. It was an eventful contest, with the hosts, who had been unbeaten at home since February, throwing everything forward in search of an equaliser. However, their efforts proved futile as DVSC doubled their lead in the 22nd minute. After Blaz Boskovic won possession, Vilmos Dénes surged forward and played a neat pass to Ákos Szendrei, who turned and fired into the bottom-left corner from around eight metres out to make it 0–2.

Paks pulled one back in the 24th minute. Haraszti broke into the box from the right and smashed the ball into the net from a tight angle to make it 1–2. Shortly afterwards, Haraszti had a chance to level the score and potentially join Szendrei in scoring twice, but our goalkeeper made an excellent save to deny him.

Both sides had dangerous moments in the closing stages of the first half, and neither team could afford to switch off. In the 39th minute, our team found the net again. David Patai picked out Adrian Guerrero, who broke into the penalty area, battled his way past the defenders and fired home from close range to restore our two-goal lead at 1–3.

Paks also started the second half with plenty of attacking intent, but our team responded well to the pressure. In the 47th minute, Ákos Szendrei came close to adding another goal, firing just wide. Unfortunately, Balázs Dzsudzsák had to be substituted due to injury, with Balázs Sain coming on in his place. The hosts continued to push forward, but Loki defended well and, when necessary, heroically.

In the 63rd minute, Plamen Andreev produced another fine save, tipping Papp’s header over the crossbar. Sergi Samper, Sohan Baldoni and new signing Bryan Adinany came off the bench. In the 71st minute, DVSC scored for the fourth time as Vilmos Dénes delivered a cross from the right and the ball deflected off Vas and into his own net to make it 1–4. As the final stages began, DVSC were forced to make a change in goal due to injury, with Benedek Erdélyi replacing Andreev. Later on, Ádám Lang also picked up an injury, although he was able to return to the pitch. Paks managed to reduce the deficit in the 81st minute when Barna Tóth headed home to make it 2–4, but ultimately Loki produced an impressive performance to secure an important victory in Paks for the first time in four and a half years.

The next match will be away against Gödöllő next Saturday in the Hungarian Cup.

According to the coach

György Bognár: We were inexperienced. We did not play badly, but they caught us on the counter and made some individual mistakes in defense.

Gert Remmel: We prepared specifically for the way Paks play, and that’s what we had been working on all week. We were aware of their strengths, particularly their aerial ability, which is the best in the league. I’m especially pleased with how we performed in attack, and our young players also put in very good performances.

OTP Bank Liga, round 7.

Paks-DVSC 2-4 (1-3).

Paks, 2781 spectators. Referee: Káprály M.

Paks: Kovácsik – Belényesi (Tóth B., 46.), Szabó J., Vas – Győrfi, Papp K., Horváth K. (Windecker, 46.), Lapu (Simut, 75.) – Pető M., Haraszti – Szalai J. (Galambos, 75.). Head coach: Bognár György.

DVSC: Andrejev (Erdélyi, 76.) – Tercza, Szakál, Lang, Guerrero – Patai (Samper, 69.), Boskovic – Egri (Baldoni, 69.), Dzsudzsák (Sain, 55.), Dénes V. – Szendrei Á. (Adinany, 69.). Head coach: Gert Remmel.

Goal: Haraszti (24.), Tóth B. (81.) as well as Szendrei Á. (6., 22.), Guerrero (39.), Vas (71., own goal).

Yellow card: Szabó J. (88.) as well as Dénes V. (89.).