Ferencváros Stun Milan at San Siro as Lenny Joseph Strikes Twice
Ferencváros produced one of the standout results of the Europa League league phase, defeating Milan 2-0 at San Siro on Thursday. French forward Lenny Joseph scored both goals after the break, turning a difficult away fixture into a historic night for the Hungarian side and leaving the Italian hosts with more questions about their European campaign.
The result was a sharp contrast to Milan’s recent domestic success. The Rossoneri had entered the match buoyed by a 3-1 victory over city rivals Inter, but they could not carry that momentum into Europe. Despite creating opportunities and enjoying periods of pressure, Milan failed to score and suffered their third defeat in four Europa League matches.
Joseph delivers after the interval
The first half offered little indication of the decisive scoreline to come. Milan sought to impose themselves at home, while Ferencváros remained organised and looked for chances to attack quickly. The visitors’ discipline helped them withstand the early pressure and kept the match level through the opening 45 minutes.
Ferencváros broke through seven minutes into the second half. Christopher Zakariassen supplied the pass, and Joseph finished to give the visitors a 1-0 lead in the 52nd minute. The goal shifted the pressure onto Milan, who needed a response in front of their home supporters.
Instead, Ferencváros struck again. Zakariassen once more provided the decisive ball, setting up Joseph for his second goal in the 66th minute. The French forward’s brace gave the Hungarian side a commanding advantage and put Milan in the position of having to chase the game.
Joseph’s two finishes highlighted the value of quick, effective combinations in a match where Milan had struggled to turn possession and attacking intent into clear rewards. Zakariassen’s role was equally important: his vision and timing created the openings that allowed Ferencváros to punish the hosts.
Red card fails to inspire a Milan comeback
Ferencváros’ task became more complicated in the 77th minute when Amadou Youssouf was sent off. Reduced to ten players, the visitors had to defend their two-goal lead under greater pressure. Milan had a potential opening to turn the closing stages into a comeback attempt, but the numerical advantage did not lead to a breakthrough.
The Rossoneri missed several chances and were unable to find a way past the visitors’ defence. Ferencváros held firm despite the late pressure, protecting their clean sheet and securing all three points. For Milan, the failure to capitalise on the red card made the defeat especially frustrating.
The scoreline also underlined a recurring concern for the Italian side in this competition: creating opportunities is not enough if they cannot be converted. Milan’s attacking quality was expected to make them contenders, but their European results have so far fallen well short of those expectations.
Europa League standings put Milan under pressure
The defeat leaves Milan on three points and in 26th place in the league-phase standings. Ferencváros, by contrast, rise to 12 points and second place, behind England’s Bournemouth on goal difference. The gap between the clubs reflects how differently their campaigns have developed: Ferencváros have built a strong position, while Milan now face a difficult challenge to improve their standing.
Milan’s record includes losses to Benfica and Bournemouth, as well as Thursday’s defeat to Ferencváros. Their only Europa League win so far came in a 4-0 victory over Salzburg. With three defeats from four matches, the Rossoneri have little room for further mistakes if they hope to climb the table and keep their European ambitions alive.
For Ferencváros, the win at San Siro is significant not only because of the opponent but also because of the setting. Taking three points away from one of European football’s most recognised clubs can strengthen a team’s confidence and provide a major boost in a league phase where every result affects the standings.
What the result means for both teams
Milan will need to respond quickly. Their derby victory over Inter showed that the team can produce a strong performance, but the contrast between that result and the loss to Ferencváros points to inconsistency across competitions. The next challenge is to improve their finishing, manage pressure more effectively and turn promising spells into goals.
Ferencváros, meanwhile, can take encouragement from a performance built on composure, efficient attacking play and determined defending. Joseph’s finishing and Zakariassen’s creativity were central to the win, while the team’s response after going down to ten players showed resilience when Milan pushed for a late goal.
Any football prediction for Milan’s remaining Europa League fixtures will now depend heavily on their ability to recover points and rediscover their attacking sharpness. Their position means each upcoming match carries added importance. Ferencváros, sitting near the top of the standings, will be looking to maintain their momentum and protect their place among the competition’s leading teams.
Thursday’s result was a reminder that reputation alone does not decide European matches. Milan entered as the home favourite, but Ferencváros made the most of their key moments and defended their advantage when the pressure increased. Joseph’s double secured a memorable 2-0 victory, while the Rossoneri were left to reflect on a costly night at San Siro.
