"But they aren't the only two teams who will do battle again in European football's knockout phases. Bulgaria's Ludogorets and Hungary's Ferencváros have been drawn against each other over two legs in the Europa League playoff round, meaning they will meet for a fourth and fifth time this season despite playing in entirely different domestic leagues. They first met in August across in the two-legged third qualifying round of the Champions League."
"The first clash produced a 0-0 draw in Razgrad, Bulgaria before Ferencváros won their home leg 3-0 a week later in Budapest, Hungary. However, Ferencváros lost to FK Qarabag in the final qualifying round, meaning they dropped into the Europa League. Their fourth fixture in the league phase? You guessed it: a home clash with Ludogorets on Nov. 6, which ended in a 3-1 win for Ferencváros."
Groundhog Day falls on Monday, Feb. 2, but two soccer teams will feel déjà vu earlier. Champions League and Europa League playoff draws produced repeat matchups. Real Madrid and Benfica face an instant rematch after Benfica goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin's dramatic last-gasp headed goal kept José Mourinho's team in the competition. Bulgaria's Ludogorets and Hungary's Ferencváros will meet over two legs in the Europa League playoff, marking their fourth and fifth meetings this season. The pair previously met in Champions League qualifying and the Europa League group phase, with Ferencváros winning both home games. The playoff first leg is Feb. 18/19, return on Feb. 25/26; one team advances and the other is eliminated.
Read at ESPN.com
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]