Midtjylland Stay Top Despite Roma Defeat as Mbabu Leads Defensive Effort

Even in defeat, FC Midtjylland sent a message: resilience isn’t just a tactic, it’s their identity. On Friday, November 28, 2025, at 12:25 PM UTC, the Danish side fell 2-1 to AS Roma in a tense Europa League clash at the Stadio Olimpico — their first loss of the 2025-26 campaign. But here’s the twist: they’re still tied for first place. With Kevin Mbabu, the 30-year-old Swiss right-back, playing every minute, Midtjylland held firm despite the setback. Their record? Five games, four wins, one loss. Goals for: 12. Goals against: 5. And still, they sit level atop the group table with Olympique Lyonnais and Aston Villa.

Defying Expectations in Herning

Few expected FC Midtjylland to be here. A club from Herning, Denmark, with a population under 50,000, they didn’t even win their domestic league last season — they finished second in the 2024-25 Danish Superliga. Yet, that was enough to qualify for Europe’s second-tier competition. And now, they’re not just participating — they’re dominating. Their 82.2% passing accuracy is among the best in the tournament. Their ball recovery rate? A staggering 41.8 per match. They don’t just keep possession; they steal it back, relentlessly.

That’s where Mbabu comes in. The Swiss international, born in Geneva and now a veteran of 12 professional seasons, didn’t just defend — he anchored. He made five tackles, recovered 13 balls, and covered 17.69 kilometers across 90 minutes. His top speed? 31.52 km/h. That’s faster than most forwards. He didn’t score. He didn’t assist. But he made the kind of plays that don’t show up on highlights — the last-ditch slide tackle, the interception that kills a counterattack, the recovery that turns defense into offense. In a league where flashy goals steal headlines, Mbabu’s quiet efficiency is what keeps Midtjylland alive.

Swiss Presence Across Europe

Mbabu wasn’t the only Swiss player making waves that night. Across Europe, Swiss talent was everywhere. Johan Manzambi, 25, came off the bench for SC Freiburg in their 0-0 draw with FC Viktoria Plzeň, keeping a clean sheet despite pressure. Dan Ndoye, 24, played just 47 minutes for Nottingham Forest in their 3-0 win over Malmö FF — no goal, but he forced a turnover that led to the third. And then there was Ricardo Rodriguez, 32, playing the full 90 for Real Betis in their 2-1 win over FC Utrecht, his calmness under pressure a masterclass in veteran leadership.

It’s no coincidence. Switzerland, with its small population but high football IQ, has become a factory for intelligent, disciplined defenders and midfielders. They don’t always dominate headlines, but they’re the glue holding teams together — and Midtjylland’s success is proof of that philosophy.

The Numbers Behind the Miracle

Let’s put Midtjylland’s stats in perspective. In five Europa League matches, they’ve covered 439.83 kilometers as a team — that’s the equivalent of running from Herning to Copenhagen and back. They’ve made 20 saves — not because they’re weak, but because they press so high, they force opponents into desperate shots. Their 51% possession isn’t flashy, but it’s efficient. They don’t waste passes. They don’t overplay. They wait. And when the chance comes — like when Adam Buksa scored in the 15th minute of their 4-0 win over KuPS in August — they punish it.

They’ve kept two clean sheets. They’ve conceded just five goals — fewer than half the average of top teams in the group stage. And they’ve done it without a single red card. Discipline isn’t just a buzzword here; it’s a system. Coach Jacob Neestrup’s side doesn’t rely on stars. They rely on structure. On timing. On collective intelligence.

What’s Next? The Knockout Door Is Still Open

The next two matches will decide everything. With four teams in each group advancing to the knockout round, Midtjylland is safely in contention — but not guaranteed. A win against OGC Nice in their next fixture, and they’ll be in control. A draw, and they’ll need to hope Aston Villa slips up. The pressure isn’t gone — it’s just changed shape.

What’s remarkable isn’t that they lost. It’s that they didn’t collapse. After the Roma defeat, players didn’t hang their heads. They celebrated their clean sheet in the first half. They applauded the fans who stayed until the final whistle. That’s culture. That’s leadership. That’s what separates clubs that survive from those that thrive.

From Qualifiers to Contenders

Remember their qualifying run? On August 14, 2025, they beat Fredrikstad 2-0 at MCH Arena in Herning, with 8,464 fans roaring. Then, a week later, they crushed KuPS 4-0 at home — the same stadium where Mbabu came on as a sub in the 91st minute. That was the first hint. This team doesn’t just play for Europe. They play to prove Europe wrong.

Now, they’re not just proving it — they’re rewriting the script. A Danish club, with no billionaire owner, no global brand, no superstar forwards, sitting at the top of the Europa League. That’s not luck. That’s execution.