Rossi: We've taken a big step forward

"We've made a big step forward from the previous match, even if the result wasn't as good as last week," Rossi began. "Despite finishing without scoring, our unbeaten run has extended to eleven matches. However, we can expect a different kind of match in the European Championship and we will have to use different tactics than in the previous two matches. We'll play depending on how we see our current opponents lining up, so we're looking forward to the opportunity to counter attack and build on a solid defence. I can’t blame the players for our performance today; our attitude was great, the planned tactical elements worked, we attacked the opponent well and our transitions were also good.

However, I felt we missed something in our finishing, and often we lacked quality in our game, so in this respect it would have been useful if we could have counted on Roland Sallai playing. We're very proud of our long unbeaten run and for me this is the most important thing in my work; for this run to be historic, so we need to score a point against Portugal".

Rossi has given all healthy squad members a chance to prove themselves in the previous two matches and no one has disappointed.

"As far as the performance of the new squad members is concerned, my expectations, which I already had before the warm-up matches, have been met. He who made the best impression on me having not been a key player in recent times is András Schäfer; he proved that I can put him in a starting lineup in the European Championship with a calm heart. I also liked the performances from Ákos Kecskés and Kevin Varga. When I send the starting eleven into the European Championship matches, I will consider the options in several ways, and of course the opponents’ players will also determine who I select to play".

In response to a question from a journalist, Rossi also covered what happened before the match, when some fans whistled at the Irish players for kneeling in a spirit of solidarity. This, incidentally, the Irish head coach objected to in a statement, while the visiting players also voiced their frustration.

"We always give everyone maximum respect. This was the case tonight and it will not change in the future. I’m not in a position to comment on the behaviour of our fans as I don’t know the reason for why our opponent were whistled at before the match", Marco Rossi said.