After eliminating Armenian side Pyunik Yerevan in the previous round, DVSC welcomed Danish champions and record title holders FC Copenhagen—boasting a squad packed with international players—to Nagyerdei Stadium on Thursday evening for the first leg of the UEFA Conference League third qualifying round. Among those named in the starting XI were Márk Szécsi, Bence Batik and Vilmos Dénes, who made his debut for Loki.

Despite the hot temperature, both teams made an energetic start, with DVSC looking particularly dangerous through a series of quality deliveries into the box. In the 11th minute, Flórián Cibla tested the guest goalkeeper, before Balázs Dzsudzsák fired narrowly over the bar a minute later. Our team dominated in the first 15 minutes, although possession became more evenly shared as the half progressed.

Plamen Andrejev produced an excellent save to deny Madsen’s shot from distance in the 20th minute, but just a minute later Copenhagen took the lead. Gabriel Pereira headed home from a corner to put the Danish side in front (0-1). The goal shifted the momentum in Copenhagen’s favour, so they took control for a spell before DVSC gradually worked their way back into the contest. Both teams created further chances before the break, but it was the visitors who struck again in the 35th minute, as Robert acrobatically finished from inside the penalty area to double the lead (0-2).

Balázs Sain came on for the second half and Loki tried to increase the pressure. In the 54th minute, Cibla fired over from long range, while Kaye Shedrach and the returning Botond Vajda came on for the final half hour. DVSC pushed tirelessly in search of a goal and enjoyed long spells of possession, but breaking down Copenhagen’s well-organised defense proved to be difficult.

Sain headed just wide in the 74th minute before Rotem Keller forced a save from the Copenhagen goalkeeper with a volley shot. Ákos Szendrei also entered the game late on, but DVSC were unable to upset the odds. Copenhagen added a third goal deep into stoppage time through Cornelius to seal a 3-0 victory.

The next match will be against our ancient rival Nyíregyháza on Sunday, starting from 17.30 at Nagyerdei Stadium.

According to the coach

Gert Remmel: We took the field against a very high quality team. The set pieces decided the match, we conceded three goals from these situations. At times, we could compete with the Danish team, but Copenhagen’s superiority from set pieces and their clinical finishing inside the penalty area proved to be decisive.

Bo Svensson: We were very strong from set pieces, defended well throughout the match and our game plan worked exactly as intended. We won’t be taking the second leg lightly either.

Conference League, 3rd qualifying round, 1st match.

DVSC-FC Copenhagen (Danish) 0-3 (0-2).

Nagyerdei Stadion, 6120 spectators. Referee: Enea Jorgji (Albanian).

DVSC: Andrejev – Szécsi, Lang, Mejías, Keller – Batik, Boskovic (Sain, 46.) – Dénes V. (Vajda, 65.), Dzsudzsák, Cibla (Kaye Shedrach, 65.) – Baldoni (Szendrei Á., 85.). Head coach: Gert Remmel.

FC Copenhagen: Kotarski – Meling, Gabriel Pereira, Beijmo, López – Delaney (Clem, 79.), Král – Elyounoussi (Olsen ,92.), Madsen (Nasnas, 89.), Robert (Ndjee, 79.) – Cornelius. Head coach: Bo Svensson.

Goal: Gabriel Pereira (21.), Robert (35.), Cornelius (92.).

Yellow card: Baldoni (15.), Boskovic (36.) as well as Clem (80.).