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9.12.2021Europa League

Kiraly on pointless Ferencváros: The table is deceptive

Gabor Kiraly never have played for the Hungarian record champions from Budapest but he did appear for Hertha Berlin, Crystal Palace, Fulham – and Bayer 04. The Hungary goalkeeper, with 108 caps, ended his playing career in the summer of 2019 and since then has worked at his own club Kiraly SE. Ahead of the Europa League game between the Werkself and Ferencváros (Thursday, 9 December, kick-off: 21.00 CET), the 45-year-old talked about the current champions of Hungary and the first six months of 2009 where he played under the Bayer Cross on loan from Burnley.
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Gabor, Bayer 04 are away to Ferencváros on Thursday night in the last match of the Europa League group stage. Your former club are certain of finishing top while the pointless Hungarian team are destined to finish bottom. What sort of game are you expecting in view of that situation?

Kiraly: It definitely won't be like a friendly, I'm sure of that. The lads on both sides want to show what they can do on this big stage. This match is also important for the development of the Ferencváros team. It will be tight and hard-fought but also played fairly.

Why do you think the record champions and current league titleholders from your home country are without a point in Europe?

Kiraly: Obviously, the table looks as if Ferencváros are clearly inferior to the other teams. But there were mostly very narrow defeats. That is also down to the coach (Peter Stöger, ed.) as he brought a lot of European experience with him when he came to Budapest in the summer. And you also have to say that the level in European competitions is clearly significantly higher than that of the Hungarian league.

What's your assessment of the development of Bayer 04 in recent years?

Kiraly: The club has been developing brilliantly for many years. That’s evident in the results and rankings. I'm also impressed about how many talented lads turn into top players there.

You were on loan at Leverkusen for six months. What do you remember from that time?

Kiraly: It was a great experiences to be able to play for the club. I enjoyed every single day, gained an incredible amount of experience and found friends. For example, I'm still in contact with René Adler from time to time. I have an absolute positive memory of those months.

Will you be at the game on Thursday?

Kiraly: Unfortunately I can't make it but I will, of course, watch the game on television at home. I follow every match of my former clubs.

A prediction to finish with: What will the result be?

Kiraly: (He laughs) I'm really bad at making predictions. But, of course, I always hope my former clubs win.

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