Hungary will kick off their campaign in the new edition of the UEFA Nations League with a match against Ukraine on September 25. Head coach Marco Rossi has called up 26 players for the next four fixtures, introducing debutants across every position except midfield.
Rossi highlighted defenders Bence Varkonyi and Áron Dótorics, along with forwards Gábor Jurek and József Sallai.
“We have been monitoring Varkonyi since his time at Zalaegerszeg. Currently, he consistently plays full matches for Qarabağ. Dótorics has also started the season well. He is a quick player with a strong character, so he deserves a chance to prove himself in the national team,” Rossi explained.
Regarding the forwards, the coach noted that Jurek and Sallai are showing the best form domestically. “It’s also difficult to find a player abroad who has scored and assisted as much as Jurek,” he added.
Hungary will compete in League B, Group 2, alongside Ukraine, Georgia, and Northern Ireland.
“Our group is very balanced, and in my opinion, there is no clear favorite. Playing four matches in ten days will be tough, but it’s an equally serious challenge for our opponents. Despite the parity, there are certain differences between the teams,” Rossi said.
The coach expects Georgia and Northern Ireland to line up with three central defenders, while he believes Ukraine will deploy four players in that position. Consequently, Hungary will prepare for both tactical setups.
Hungary squad:
Goalkeepers: Bence Gundel-Takács (Zalaegerszeg), Armin Pécsi (Hartberg), Balázs Tóth (Blackburn Rovers).
Defenders: Bendegúz Bolla (Rapid Vienna), Mark Csinger (Groningen), Áron Dótorics (Vasas), Miloš Kerkez (Liverpool), Ákos Márk Graf (Copenhagen), Willi Orban (RB Leipzig), Attila Ósváth (Ferencváros), Callum Styles (West Bromwich Albion), Kornél Szűcs (Vojvodina), Bence Varkonyi (Qarabağ).
Midfielders: Áron Csongvai (Saint-Étienne), András Schäfer (Union Berlin), Dominik Szoboszlai (Liverpool), Tamás Szűcs (Famalicão), Alex Tóth (Bournemouth), Raimund Tóth (Konyaspor), Milan Vitališ (AEK).
Forwards: Gábor Jurek (MTK), Dániel Lukács (Puskás Akadémia), Damir Redžić (RB Salzburg), Roland Sallai (Galatasaray), József Sallai (Paks), Barnabás Varga (AEK).
Hungary will host Ukraine in Budapest on September 25, travel to face Northern Ireland on September 28, welcome Georgia on October 2, and then play Ukraine again in Trnava, Slovakia.
