Hungarian national team: Nothing is lost yet, the mathematical odds still live on – Rossi

– You can hardly be satisfied...
– How can I be after a match like this with a disappointing outcome! This time we played a different kind of match than we did against England, but I also saw how the team suffered last night.

– What caused the most difficulties?
– We had a hard time resisting the physical advantage of the opponent; Edoardo Reja sent seven or eight tall, strong players onto the pitch. We knew they were going to be extremely aggressive, especially their defenders.

– The Hungarian national team rarely reached the Albanian goal and possessed the ball in the opponent's half. What could be the explanation for the team's attacking game not working out?
– Our plan was to get behind their defense, but we couldn't pass as many as we should have; we weren't effective enough. However, we still had opportunities, but unfortunately, we missed them. I don't deny that Albania had significantly more opportunities. The home side played better than us, they scored more goals. In truth, the Albanians were better overall, but it should also be remembered that even before the first match against England, we had to face serious problems and the situation did not get any better before this match. In fact, ...

– Dominik Szoboszlai couldn't be of as much help for the national team's game as we would expect from his abilities. What could be the reason for this?
– I wanted to give him more freedom than in the game against England, so he played forward. He's not in top form yet, but I think that's clear to everyone. I'm sure he'll have a better performance.

– What do you know about Péter Gulácsi's condition?
– The team doctors had to examine him during half-time. Although he wasn't dizzy but was a little disoriented, we found it better not to let him back on the pitch, so we substituted him as a precaution. He's got a medical examination waiting for him, but I hope he's okay.

– Did the defeat to Albania miss the chance to play in the World Cup?
– Nothing is lost yet, because Albania is coming to us, and we are even going to Poland! We will continue to do everything we can to secure second place for the playoffs. After the defeat, however, we have a tough task ahead of us. The mathematical odds still live on. We'll see where we go from here. The responsibility is mine, and I decide who plays and who doesn't – even if the result and performance were not what we expected, but I point out that there is still a reason to be hopeful.

– Who are the footballers that are ordered back by their clubs, and won't be able to play against Andorra on Wednesday?
– I don't have anything certain about Roland Sallai yet as he is still negotiating with his club, but he will probably stay with us for the next game as well. At the same time, the Leipzig squad, so Péter Gulácsi, Willi Orbán and Dominik Szoboszlai, are leaving the team.

WORLD CUP EUROPEAN QUALIFIERS
ROUND 5
GROUP I
ALBANIA-HUNGARY 1–0 (0–0)
Elbasan,Elbasan Arena,4500spectators.Referee:Makkelie (Netherlands)
ALBANIA:E. Berisha – Doka (Hoxhallari, 78.), Ismajli, Djimsiti, Kumbulla – Abrashi (Cekici, 69.), Gjasula, Trashi (Roshi, in half-time) – Uzuni, Balaj (Broja, 78.), Bajrami (Laci, 63.).Head coach:Edoardo Reja
HUNGARY:Gulácsi (Dibusz, in half-time) – Orbán, Lang, A. Szalai – Botka (R. Varga, 89.), Kleinheisler (Nikolic, 90+3.), Á. Nagy, Gazdag (Sallói D., 67.), Fiola – Szoboszlai – R. Sallai (J. Hahn, 88.).Head coach:Marco Rossi
Goalscorer:Broja (87.)

Other matches in the group

England–Andorra 4–0
San Marino–Poland 1–7

SCHEDULE FOR WEDNESDAY
8.45pm:HUNGARY–Andorra
8.45pm:Poland–Anglia
8.45pm:Albania–San Marino

Translated by Vanda Orosz