Hungary will have to give 'best performance' against Ireland - Hungary boss Rossi

4 June 2024; Jake O'Brien of Republic of Ireland in action against Roland Sallai of Hungary. Pic: Michael P Ryan/Sportsfile

Hungary’s manager admits their duel against Ireland could hold more importance in the World Cup qualification reckoning to the visit of Portugal to Budapest three days later.

Marco Rossi is the long-time manager of a side that has qualified for three European Championships in a row. 

They begin their campaign to end a 40-year wait for a World Cup appearance against Ireland on Saturday week at Lansdowne Road.

Backboned by Liverpool pair Dominik Szoboszlai and Milos Kerkez, the Hungarian squad was also unveiled on the same day Ireland released theirs.

Their Italian manager has ruled out challenging Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portuguese for the one automatic ticket to USA, Mexico and Canada next year. 

Battling with Ireland for second and the runners-up slot is paramount.

“We will play our first match in the qualifiers in Dublin, where we will have to give our best performance, especially knowing what kind of competition we are participating in,” said Rossi.

“Every game is important but the first one against Ireland could be decisive, ” added Rossi. “Maybe even more so than the second game, when the opponent is Portugal.” 

Rossi joked that he could deploy his playmaker Szoboszlai in the right-back position he was thrust into for Liverpool in their late victory over Newcastle United on Monday.

"While watching the match, it occurred to me that Dominik Szoboszlai should be a right-back ," said Rossi with a smile.

"Or should Roland Sallai play in that position? Maybe Loic Nego or Bolla Bendegúz? No matter what I decide, the other three players won't fit there.

“And we knew that Dominik Szoboszlai was put in this position because of an injury. He can be a real example for the others.

“Everyone knows what a capable footballer he is but he still does the dirty work, runs a lot, defends, gets the ball.

“And if he's capable of working so much for the team, then others can sacrifice themselves too."

HUNGARY SQUAD:

Goalkeepers: Dénes Dibusz (Ferencvárosi TC), Péter Szappanos (Puskás Akadémia FC), Balázs Tóth (Blackburn Rovers – England). 

Defenders: Bolla Bendegúz (Rapid Wien – Austria), Márton Dárdai (Hertha BSC – Germany), Milos Kerkez (FC Liverpool – England), Attila Mocsi (Rizespor – Turkey), Zsolt Nagy (Puskás Akadémia FC), Nego Loic (Le Havre AC – France), Willi Orbán (RB Leipzig – Germany), Attila Osváth (Paksi FC), Attila Szalai (Kasimpasa – Turkey), Gábor Szalai (Ferencvárosi TC). 

Midfielders: Áron Csongvai (AIK – Sweden), Bence Dárdai (Vfl Wolfsburg – Germany), Bence Ötvös (Ferencvárosi TC), András Schäfer (Union Berlin – Germany), Callum Styles (West Bromwich Albion – England), Dominik Szoboszlai (Liverpool FC – England), Alex Tóth (Ferencvárosi TC), Milán Vitalis (ETO FC Győr). 

Forwards: Zsombor Gruber (Ferencvárosi TC), Dániel Lukács (Puskás Academy FC), Rajmund Molnár (MTK Budapest), Roland Sallai (Galatasaray – Turkey), Barna Tóth (Paksi FC), Barnabás Varga (Ferencvárosi TC).