what you need to know about Hungary

At the end of the suspense

We can say that Hungary is a miracle. The Magyars have indeed finished in fourth place in Group E, behind Croatia, Wales and Slovakia. With four wins (home success against the Croats 2-0 and the Welsh 1-0) and four defeats on the clock, the Hungarians have however hung a ticket for the semi-finals of the play-offs. In a dry match, they managed to beat Bulgaria rather quietly (1-3). In the final, at home, at the Puskas stadium, they faced Iceland for a place in the Euro. Everything had started very badly after the opening scoring of Gilfy Sigdursson (11th). Johan Berg Gudmonsson was on the verge of driving the point home late in the game (87th). But a miracle was happening. Loïc Nego, a naturalized French Hungarian side, equalized (88th) and saw his partner Dominik Szoboszlai offer an unexpected victory to his family (90th).

The qualities and weaknesses of the selection

The year 2021 has started off rather well for Hungary. For its rally in March, it held in check the Poland of Robert Lewandowski and Arkadiusz Milik at home (3-3) and obtained two large away wins in San Marino (0-3) and Andorra (1-4). The Hungarians have also worked on a new organization during these three matches counting for the qualifiers for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar: the 3-5-2. Behind, they lean on the two executives of RB Leipzig, goalkeeper Peter Gulasci and defender Willy Orban.

Faithful to the principles of their Italian coach, the Magyars are working first to defend well and to go through the wings, with in particular the former Nantes player Loïc Nego, naturalized in 2020 (8 selections, 2 goals). Adam Nagy, revealed during the last Euro in France, occupies a central role in the midfield. In the absence of Dominik Szoboszlai, finally forfeited, it will be necessary to find an element which will bring binding to this collective sometimes hard to maneuver, which has not lost since September 2020. The bat hurts on the other hand in attack, where, s’ he is useful as a point of support, Adam Szalai does not offer enormous guarantees at the highest level (70 capes, 23 achievements) and does not really have a complement or a competitor of choice.

Rossi, defense

In office since June 2018, Marco Rossi has solid experience from his past as a player. The Italian, a former central defender by profession, notably played in Brescia and Sampdoria in the 1990s before ending his career in 2000. After having started in the country, officiating for example at the head of the U19 of the ‘Udinese or La Spezia, he really made himself known during his stints at Budapest Honved (2012-2014 then 2015-2017), notably winning the title of national champion in 2017. His record at the head of the selection is for the hour of 14 victories, 4 draws and 9 losses. Under contract until June 2025, he will aim to do at least as well as in 2016, in France (round of 16).

French Loïc Nego

The Hungary-France match on June 15, in Budapest, which will be followed live on Foot 24hfootnews, will be an inevitably special meeting for Loïc Négo. Born in Paris, the former resident of FC Nantes was naturalized Hungarian a few months ago. Passed by Ujpest then Videoton (who has changed names several times), the right-back, very offensive, is now a sure bet in the local championship, brilliant by his success in recent seasons (203 matches, 31 achievements). The former international U20 tricolor (15 caps) was notably elected best player of OTP Bank Liga. His equalizing goal in the play-off final against Iceland is still remembered.

The eleven type:

The list of 26:

Guardians: Ádám Bogdán (Ferencváros TC), Dénes Dibusz (Ferencváros TC), Péter Gulácsi (RB Leipzig, ALL),;

Defenders: Bendegúz Bolla (MOL Fehérvár FC), Endre Botka (Ferencváros TC), Attila Fiola (MOL Fehérvár FC), Ákos Kecskés (Lugano FC, SUI), Ádám Lang (Omonoia Nicosia, CHY), Gergő Lovrenc Orbán TC (Ferencván) (RB Leipzig, ALL), Attila Szalai (Fenerbahçe, TUR);

Environments : Tamás Cseri (Mezőkövesd), Dániel Gazdag (Budapest Honvéd FC), Filip Holender (FK Partizan, SER), László Kleinheisler (NK Osijek, CRO), Ádám Nagy (Bristol City, ANG), Loïc Nego (MOL Fehérvár FC), Á Schäfer (Dunajská Streda, SLQ), Dávid Sigér (Ferencváros TC);

Attackers: János Hahn (Paks), Nemanja Nikolić (MOL Fehérvár FC), Roland Sallai (SC Friborg, ALL), Szabolcs Schön (FC Dallas, USA), Ádám Szalai (FSV Mainz, ALL), Kevin Varga (Kasımpaşa SK, TUR), Roland Varga (MTK Budapest).