Marco Rossi: We have dreams too…

– Did you have a sleepless night or two before announcing the lineup?
– No! – Head coach Marco Rossi, who announced in the Puskás Aréna the Hungarian national team lineup for the World Cup qualifiers in September, answered quickly in the exclusive interview with Nemzeti Sport. – I've actually been very calm in the last few days. I feel that we have managed to put together the currently strongest squad at the moment together with my colleagues. The European Championship ended two months ago for us and various championships have just started, so I had no reason to make major changes. We spent thirty-six days together before and during the European Championship, and it created an atmosphere and unity that we can rely on in the future. It would have been silly on my part to change it drastically.

– As for the changes, Tamás Cseri, Filip Holender and Dávid Sigér are out of the team while Dominik Szoboszlai, Dániel Gazdag, Dániel Sallói and Márk Tamás are selected. Some things don't need an explanation, but maybe some do...
– Let's start with the absent ones: Dávid Sigér suffered a cruciate ligament tear. Unfortunately, he will not be deployable for months. I don't count on Tamás Cseri this time because he's not in very good form. I appreciate what he has done for the national team before, and at the same time, I would like to indicate that the door has not closed before him – either. Because I can say the same thing about Filip Holender. Let's look at the other side. Dominik Szoboszlai's invitation does not require commentary; in recent times, only his injury has prevented him from being part of the team before. Dániel Gazdag also had to cancel his European Championship appearance due to an injury, but he's been healthy for some time and is doing well in Philadelphia. Dániel Sallói is a straight-up scorer for Sporting Kansas City. I invited him once in September 2018, but he didn't play then. In the three years since, he's made a lot of progress, and I think he's fully ripe to be part of the team. Last but not least, let's talk about Márk Tamás: we've been following him for a long time, he's become a key player at his Polish club Slask Wroclaw, and the time has come for him to join us. His example proves what I just said: the door is open to everyone.

– For Balázs Dzsudzsák as well?
– Balázs did not receive an invitation this time either, that is a fact. However, I would like to state that anyone who suspects that I have a personal problem with him is wrong. I respect what he has achieved in his career so far, both in his clubs and in the national team. At the same time, everyone is aware that while he used to be mostly a winger for his teams, he plays as a midfielder in Debrecen. He's in good form, he's helping Loki with goals and assists, but in the part of midfield where he's been in lately, I need a different type of footballer. I need players who not only run a lot but also have the speed required at the international level while acquiring a lot of balls. In my opinion, this ability is a little lacking in Balázs. So, the reason I don't calculate with him is because of this, nothing else. But it also applies to him: I'm not closing that particular door for good in front of anyone. Not to mention that none of us know what the future holds. It could happen that after a while it's not me who puts the squad together. However, I hope it'll be my job for many years to come.

– Don't you feel that after a successful European Championship appearance many people kind of expect the team to qualify for the World Cup?
– Fans should dream, there's nothing wrong with that. I'll even tell you that we have dreams too... I sense every step of the way that there is a high expectation ahead of the World Cup qualifiers, and the enthusiasm that surrounds us is fantastic. I'm often stopped on the streets to ask for a photograph together or an autograph, which, of course, makes me happy. But not even for a second will I forget where my, our place is. The expectation is really high, even bigger than it should be. We've got three games to play in seven days, and that in itself is a huge test of strength. Especially because after the European runner-up England, we're going to be in Albania, and nobody has an easy time there. My compatriot Edoardo Reja is an excellent master of the Albanian national team, and I know him well. He's managed top clubs in Italy, he has no lack of experience, not to mention he can use five or six footballers who have either played in Serie A before or are now playing there – in fact, in Atalanta or Roma. Three days after the game in Tirana, we're hosting Andorra. If there's one thing we can't afford, it's to underestimate them. The three clashes require three different tactics, but we're trying to make the most of ourselves.

– What would be the most? Six or maybe seven points?
– Nine... However, on paper, the clash against England should not be played because the winner could be announced in advance. Suffice it to say that while the Hungarian team is worth 80 million Euros, the British are worth 1.3 billion, which is 16 times more than ours.

– If I'm not mistaken, the Hungarian national team will run out to the turf of the Puskás Aréna next Thursday evening.
– And not even with hands put up! Recently, we have surprised our opponents who are ranked much higher than us, and that is what we are preparing for now as well. If we concentrate properly, if we are well organized and determined, if we fight as a team as we did at the European Championship, and if luck is on our side, it can be paired with a good performance. A good performance then can bring good results. It's also nice in football that nothing is impossible, but while you're mindful of that, it doesn't hurt to be down to earth either. One thing is for sure: the fact that the Puskás Arena will be filled with Hungarian fans can be a great advantage for us. On Tuesday evening, I was able to personally confirm that the fans of Ferencváros created such an atmosphere that even the rivals felt it. I would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate Fradi, hats off to them for reaching the group stage of the European Cup series for the third year in a row. The only problem for me is that there are only a few Hungarian players in the team, and only Dénes Dibusz was given the opportunity in the rematch against Young Boys. Obviously, I invited Ádám Bogdán and Endre Botka because I know what kind of performance they are capable of in their positions, but it would be easier for me if more Hungarian footballers could break out more on the international stage. Although it's not my job to dictate what nationality players should be included in clubs; everyone has their points and arguments.

– Either within or outside the border, do you sense that the national team's prestige has increased since the European Championship?
– We've already felt the appreciation at home and that the fans are proud of us and their “Hungarianness.” And yes, I get the impression that we're more recognized abroad as well, and no one talks about us like, ‘Well, we're going to beat them easily.' As before, we will give everyone respect in the future, and I think we will get it from a lot of people too. The English will certainly respect what we've achieved so far, but they will still come to Budapest to beat us. It's in the cards that they will succeed, but I can promise you one thing: we don't give ourselves away easily! Captain's request: no insults, please!

Translated by Vanda Orosz