In Győr, where the Danube bends close to Hungary’s western border, Efraín Juárez is beginning to give Győri ETO a firmer shape. The Mexican coach’s first weeks have brought the club into the leading group of the Hungarian league: 15 points from eight matches, enough for third place and a place in the chase behind the division’s foremost contenders.
Győri ETO have won four times, drawn three and lost only once. Vasas and Puskás Akadémia remain among the sides sharing the upper reaches of the table, but Juárez’s team have kept themselves in that company despite a disrupted start to his tenure.
“It is unusual, but from the moment we arrived, somebody was leaving or picking up an injury every week,” Juárez said. “Do not misunderstand me: we are not producing miracles now either. You cannot put the world, or football, right in a week. But we established a solid physical base, and that is essential because of the aggressive way we want to play.”
Their only league reverse came against Ferencváros, Hungary’s most prominent club, yet it has not derailed an encouraging domestic run. The task now is to turn the draws already collected into further wins and close the gap towards the summit.
A European summer cut short, and a cup route still open
The season has not been without disappointment beyond Hungary. Győri ETO were removed in the first qualifying round of the Champions League by Víkingur, losing the tie 3-2 on aggregate. A subsequent route through Conference League qualifying also ended before the league phase, with Riga progressing 2-1 across two matches in the third qualifying round.
Those continental exits have left the club with domestic ambitions to pursue. Győri ETO remain involved in the Hungarian Cup and will meet Zalaegerszegi in the round of 32, giving Juárez another competition in which to test the foundations he says have been laid in Győr.
