Szoboszlai as a Striker Marco Rossi Announces Squad for Matches Against Armenia and Portugal
Hungarian National Football Team Prepares for Crucial World Cup Qualifiers in Telki
The Hungarian national football team is set to arrive in Telki on October 6 for essential preparation ahead of the World Cup qualifiers. After a rocky start in September, where they drew with Ireland (2–2) in the dying moments of the match and faced a narrow defeat against Portugal (3–2) with the winning goal conceded in the 86th minute, the team is under pressure to secure victories in upcoming matches.
Squad Announcement: Key Players and New Faces
The squad selected for the upcoming matches against Armenia and Portugal includes:
- Goalkeepers: Dénes Dibusz (Ferencvárosi TC), Péter Szappanos (Puskás Akadémia FC), Balázs Tóth (Blackburn Rovers)
- Defenders: Botond Balog (Kocaelispor), Márton Dárdai (Hertha BSC), Milos Kerkez (FC Liverpool), Attila Mocsi (Rizespor), Loic Nego (Le Havre AC), Willi Orbán (RB Leipzig), Attila Osváth (Paksi FC), Attila Szalai (Kasimpasa)
- Midfielders: Bendegúz Bolla (Rapid Wien), Áron Csongvai (AIK), Zsolt Nagy (Puskás Akadémia FC), Bence Ötvös (Ferencvárosi TC), András Schäfer (Union Berlin), Callum Styles (West Bromwich Albion), Dominik Szoboszlai (FC Liverpool), Alex Tóth (Ferencvárosi TC), Milán Vitális (ETO FC Győr)
- Forwards: Zsombor Gruber (Ferencvárosi TC), Dániel Lukács (Puskás Akadémia FC), Rajmund Molnár (Pogon Szczecin), Roland Sallai (Galatasaray), Barna Tóth (Paksi FC), Barnabás Varga (Ferencvárosi TC)
Tickets for the home match against Armenia sold out in under 24 hours, showcasing the intense support from fans. At the José Alvalade Stadium in Lisbon, 2,500 Hungarian supporters will cheer for the team from designated sections.
Challenges Ahead: Key Player Absences and Tactical Adjustments
Head coach Marco Rossi faces significant challenges with the absence of established forwards Roland Sallai and Barnabás Varga due to suspensions. Sallai received a two-match ban following an incident in Dublin, while Varga’s yellow card during the recent match resulted in exclusion for the October 11 fixture.
Rossi, preparing for his 79th match at the helm, emphasizes the critical nature of the upcoming encounter. “Victory against Armenia is non-negotiable if we aim to continue our dream of progressing in the qualifiers,” he stated. The team is currently positioned third in their group with just one point and a goal difference of -1, making their path to qualification challenging.
Tactical Considerations: How to Replace Key Players
Addressing the absence of Sallai and Varga, Rossi indicated he has solutions in mind but needs to test them during training. The classic center-forward option is limited to Barna Tóth, and Rossi may consider alternative strategies to maintain offensive pressure. “We must create opportunities against Armenia while respecting their capabilities,” he noted.
He elaborated on potential formations, suggesting a flexible tactical setup that could transition from a three-defender to a four-defender system. “Dominik Szoboszlai’s versatility allows him to play various positions, including as a forward, which could provide additional options for our attacking play,” Rossi added.
The Importance of Upcoming Matches for Qualification
The importance of the matches on October 11 against Armenia and October 14 against Portugal cannot be overstated. The Hungarian team must secure points to shift their standings in Group F. As Rossi highlighted, “Both games are decisive; winning at home against Armenia sets the stage for our final confrontation with Ireland, which will be crucial for our qualifying ambitions.”
Upcoming Fixtures and Group Standings
As the qualifiers progress, the Hungarian team’s schedule is as follows:
| Date | Match | Time (Local) |
|---|---|---|
| October 11 | Hungary vs. Armenia | 18:00 |
| October 14 | Portugal vs. Hungary | 20:45 |
Current standings in Group F show:
- 1. Portugal – 6 points (8–2)
- 2. Armenia – 3 points (2–6)
- 3. Hungary – 1 point (4–5)
- 4. Ireland – 1 point (3–4)
With further matches slated for November, including an away game against Armenia on November 13 and a home match against Ireland on November 16, every detail in preparation counts. The Hungarian national team’s journey to the 2026 World Cup continues with hope and determination.
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