Hungary focusing on Montenegro clash

These preparations continued with the additions of several squad members who weren't able to arrive in Telki last week. In addition, Ádám Martin, Attila Szalai and Dániel Gazdag didn't participate in Monday afternoon's training, the former two undertaking regeneration work, while Gazdag will complete the squad by arriving from the United States on Tuesday. Two forwards from the U21 national team, Zalán Kerezsi and Dániel Németh, bolstered the group in Telki by filling in for the missing players. In addition to afternoon training, the team's Monday programme also included
medical examinations.

Before training, Ádám Lang and Kevin Csoboth answered journalists' questions on the training centre's main pitch.

"I've already played against Montenegro away from home, so based on that match, I expect a tough battle in Podgorica. We mustn't be tempted to adopt the playing style of the home team, but must compete with them in every challenge and make good decisions; that way we can take the three points," said Lang.

Kevin Csoboth has arrived at Telki hoping to soon double his tally of caps with two national team matches already behind him, and in addition to the team's success, he aims to once again prove that he has a place in the national squad.

"I'm glad that my recent performances have again earned me a call-up, but I don't want to stop here; I want to show more of my abilities match by match in the national team and at Újpest too. Both upcoming games will be tough. A real contest is expected in Montenegro where our opponents will fight tooth and nail for every ball.
Concentration, discipline, team unity - these are the three ingredients needed to win there", explained Csoboth.

The national team will stay in Telki for the next few days, then on Friday early afternoon they'll travel to Podgorica, the venue for Saturday's match against Montenegro.

Before then, the squad is taking part in 90 minute-long sessions which provide the tactical basis for Hungary's plan to take on Montenegro.

Parma's Botond Balogh and Honvéd goalkeeper Péter Szappanos participated in another press conference. Understandably, the two players were also asked by journalists about possible changes of club, but both said that they're concentrating on the national team, and that even regardless of this, they aren't able to provide any news of developments regarding their future.

"A professional footballer has to deal with this situation almost every six months when there is a transfer period, but I don't want to deal with it now," Szappanos explained. "The spirit here with the national team and the atmosphere helps me forget the difficulties of everyday life anyway. However, it will still be difficult (to gain the three points), because an extremely difficult match awaits us in Montenegro, both in terms of the opponent, the pitch and the proportion of fans on our side, as only five hundred Hungarian fans have been allocated tickets, in addition to which
we'll have a very difficult task from a tactical point of view".

Botond Balogh also spoke of the joy of being back in Telki with the full national squad. The young defender said he'd had a better season than a year ago, having played in roughly four times as many matches as last season, and his goal for the national team is to double his number of matches so far as soon as possible.

"The goal of every player who is here is to spend as many minutes as possible on the pitch, but this is something you have to work towards," said Balogh. "If you perform well, you gain confidence, then the playing minutes will come by themselves".

On Friday morning, head coach Marco Rossi and his technical staff will have the opportunity to see how much the group has developed so far, by virtue of a practice match the squad will play with the Hungary U21 national team led by Zoltán Gera, which also started preparing for its June matches this week.