Men's national team fuelled by desire to prove themselves

Rossi's charges returned to Telki training centre on Saturday night from Podgorica, the venue of their second Euro 2024 qualifier against Montenegro earlier that day. Sunday was all about regeneration and now of course the focus is fully on tomorrow's match against Lithuania.

On Monday morning, head coach Rossi and defender Attila Szalai took part in the official pre-match press conference.

"In order to achieve our goals, we have to win tomorrow's match, regardless of the opponent's style of play, I feel this is a necessity", Rossi stated. "The way we played in our match in Montenegro provoked criticism from many, so now everyone has a burning desire to show what we are capable of. For this, we have to use all our tactical and technical acumen on Tuesday. The most important thing is to get the three points, but it would be ideal if this success could be combined with a good performance in front of our own fans. We're preparing for all of Lithuania's strengths and we've tried to find their weak points too. We won't have an easy time against them, no matter what the newspapers say. We know all too well that to win, we have to give our maximum from the first minute to the last. Somehow the whole team did not have a good day in Montenegro, but there'll be no changes in the team due to being dissatisfied with anyone. Rather, we'll need fresh energy, so forthat reason, there may be the prospect of changes in two or three positions in the starting lineup".

Following Rossi, Attila Szalai emphasised that the players are in good condition, and the key on Tuesday will be whether the team can play faster and more dynamically than they did against Montenegro.

"Regeneration has gone well, so we're fresh both mentally and physically; this is what our test results show", Szalai told the media in attendance. "Against Montenegro, many unforced errors slipped into our game, so our aim is to make fewer of these mistakes against Lithuania. We have to play faster, with more momentum, more dynamism and more concentration. We have a plan, we know where there are gaps in their defence, which areas on the pitch we need to be in order to be effective. Lithuania can be an unpleasant and tough opponent, as shown by the fact that they drew with Bulgaria despite being down to ten men for almost the whole game. We want to win the three points at home and we'll do everything we can to achieve this".

Lithuania drew 1-1 with Bulgaria on Saturday and are currently fourth in the group G table with one point.

Tuesday's match will be led by Portuguese referee António Nobre and his assistants will be compatriots Pedro Ribeiro and Tiago Costa with the fourth official's duties being carried out by André Narciso. Nobre's work on the pitch will be assisted in the VAR room by Tiago Martins and Fábio Oliveira Melo.

At the end of Monday's press conference, former Hungary striker Ádám Szalai also spoke and announced that he would end his career as a professional footballer:

"I've made a carefully thought-out, well-considered decision and decided to end my professional career. I am proud of my career, because I've had a successful Bundesliga career and during this time I was a regular for the Hungarian national team," said Hungary's former captain, who of course also exchanged a few words with his old teammates and head coach Rossi while present at the MLSZ training centre.

The Lithuania national squad:

Goalkeepers: Edvinas Gertmons (Zalgiris Vilnius), Lukas Paukste (Siauliai), Emilij Zubs (Hapoel Tel-Aviv)

Defenders: Linas Klimavicius (FK Panevezys), Edvinas Girdvainis (Zalgiris Kaunas), Kipras Kazukolovs (Zalgiris Vilnius), Artemijus Tutyskinas (LKS Lodz), Pijus Sirvys (FK Panevezys), Rokas Lekiatas (Siauliai), Markas Beneta (FK Panevezys), Matijus Remeikis (FK Panevezys)

Midfielders: Modest Vorobjovs (currently without a club), Gvidas Gineitis (Torino), Ovidijus Verbickas (Zalgiris Vilnius), Gratas Sirgedas (Zalgiris Kaunas), Eligijus Jankauskas (Siauliai), Daniel Romanovskij (Siauliai), Karolis Uzeela (RFS), Faustas Steponavicius (Tukums 2000), Deividas Sesplaukis (Siauliai), Klaudijs Upstas (FC Hegelmann)

Forwards: Gytis Paulauskas (KF Egnatia), Armandas Kucis (IFK Berga).