Rossi: Team spirit and humility can be key to success

Before Monday's Euro 2024 qualifier against Bulgaria, Marco Rossi and team captain Dominik Szoboszlai were present in the national team's official press conference in Telki. According to the former, it would be a fatal mistake to underestimate their opponents despite defeat in their home match against Montenegro, and we will only have a chance to win if we respect the other team.

"I'm sure Bulgaria will be a difficult opponent," Rossi told the waiting media. "We'll be facing a physically strong team with fast attackers upfront and a solid midfield and defence. Although they lost their first game of the campaign they had plenty of chances against Montenegro, so we have to be smart about transitions and ball possession and mustn't allow areas for the opponent's fast players to work in, because they can easily take advantage of this. No one should ever underestimate their opponent, especially when there is no reason to do so. We've learned from our own example that we can achieve good results when we fight as a team and approach a match with humility. We don't think that even after defeating England and Germany last year, we are already at their level, so in order to win on Monday, we still have to give 100% on the pitch mentally and physically. Being favourites to win is only one thing and we managed to win against England and Germany as underdogs, so this could happen anytime in our opponent's favour too. Our opponent is obviously disappointed that they lost their first qualifier, so I'm sure they'll try to make up for those lost points in Budapest. Bulgaria have followed a similar tactical approach in their previous four matches but they changed it against Montenegro, so we'll try to prepare properly for every eventuality".

Hungary's head coach didn't reveal any details about his expected starting lineup, but he emphasised that last Thursday's friendly against Estonia had been very useful in terms of selection, and that anyone can have an impact on Monday, the five substitutes too, because up to sixteen players will be able to play.

"The Estonia match was very important for us, because we learnt lessons which will help us decide the starting team to face Bulgaria. Don't forget that it's not just the starting team that counts, because if we make use of our five substitutions, our line-up will change significantly by the end of the match, so every member of the squad can play an important role. Last Thursday it was clear that our game works both with a classic centre forward and a false nine, so we want to keep both options in consideration and change our tactics according to the given situation", Rossi added.

A little later, Dominik Szoboszlai admitted he's not at all sure how Bulgaria will line up, but that whatever their plan is, Hungary will try to respond appropriately.

"We have to focus on ourselves, and we shouldn't worry about expectations either. We have to play our own game and be in our best form" commented Szoboszlai, who added that he's undefeated as a team captain so far and wants to continue this run for many years to come.

On Sunday, the squad was visited by Dr Sándor Csányi, President of the MLSZ, who congratulated Marco Rossi and Cosimo Ingusció on the occasion of their 50th national team match, while Loic Nego received a commemorative plaque from the federation to mark his 25th national-team match.