Victorious over Germany in Munich on Tuesday (1-0), the Blues are naturally favorites against Hungary, opponents unanimously considered to be the weakest in the group.
But carried by the fervor of its Puskas Arena in Budapest, Hungary intends to mark a new page in its uneven history with selection football.
Shoes and romantic getaway: the cursed Hungary of 1954
Among the best national teams in the history of football, the Hungary of 1954, nicknamed the “Golden Eleven”, ranks well. His offensive play in 4-2-4, carried by Puskas, Czibor or Kocsis, showed the way in Brazil of Pelé or in the Netherlands of Johan Cruyff. The "Mágikus Magyarok" (Magiques Magyars) were favorites at the 1954 World Cup, where they led 2-0 in the final after 8 minutes of play. But they were overthrown by Germany's Morlock (10th) and Rahn (18th). , 84th), victorious 3-2. Unthinkable, especially since Hungary had crushed the Mannschaft in the group stage with a score of 8-3. The reasons for the defeat? Perhaps the inauguration by Adidas, German equipment manufacturer, of screw-in crampons ideal for playing in the heavy rain that was falling in Bern that evening.Or perhaps the bad game of Hungarian midfielder Jozsef Zakarias, who had braved the curfew imposed by his coach Gusztav Sebes the day before the final to spend the night with a maid. Either way, this great Hungary has remained as the cursed team with the virgin charts.
The Ferenc Puskas Arena is the most unique venue of this Euro
The only enclosure to emerge from the ground for Euro 2020, the Ferenc Puskas Arena presents several peculiarities in comparison with the other ten stadiums of the competition. In addition to its staggering cost of some 600 million euros, nearly three times the amount of the initial bill, this stadium is the only one able to fill a full house (68,000 seats). Thus, some 55,000 people took place in the new temple of Hungarian football on the occasion of the nation's entry into contention against Portugal in an incandescent atmosphere (0-3). If Budapest should fill up again against France this Saturday (3 p.m.), the attendance should be significantly lower on Wednesday for France-Portugal (9 p.m.) and during the round of 16 on June 27 due to restrictions on shifting.An eighth which may not be the last match of the Euro played in Hungary because the
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understands that UEFA is considering relocating the final of the competition there if England does not relax its conditions of access to Wembley ...
Thirty years old big air hole
Eighth finalist of Euro 2016 (defeat against Belgium 0-4 in Toulouse), Hungary had succeeded in its return to a great competition 30 years after its exit in the first round of the World 86 in Mexico. At the time, the Magyars had taken the door because of their defeat against… France, which had won 3-0 thanks to goals from Stopyra (30th), Tigana (64th) and Rocheteau (85th). After that, nothing more, nothingness. A generational gap barely filled by the potential of his goalkeeper Gabor Kiraly (108 caps), who had marked the spirits at Euro 2016 by playing in sweatpants, or by the management of the 1990 Ballon d'Or Lothar Matthäus, coach from Hungary between December 2003 and December 2005. The selection gradually picked up at the turn of the 2010s,carried by the talent of its captain Balázs Dzsudzsák (108 caps, 21 goals), author of a double against Portugal at Euro 2016 (3-3) before failing in third place in his qualifying group for the World in Russia. Qualified for the Euro thanks to a reversal of the situation in the last moments against Iceland in the play-offs (2-1), Hungary relied on its new generation to stabilize in the world top 50 (37th) and n 'had lost more in 11 matches before his inaugural disappointment against Portugal (0-3).Hungary relied on its new generation to stabilize in the world top 50 (37th) and had not lost for 11 matches before its inaugural disappointment against Portugal (0-3).Hungary relied on its new generation to stabilize in the world top 50 (37th) and had not lost for 11 matches before its inaugural disappointment against Portugal (0-3).
Read also: Which eleven against Hungary?
Didier Deschamps blurs the tracks at the Puskas Arena
Loïc Nego, a Frenchman among the Hungarians
Loïc Nego will present the particularity of knowing the two national anthems which will resound in the Puskas Arena before the match. Born in Garges-lès-Gonesse (Val-d'Oise), the U19 European champion with Antoine Griezmann in 2010 will find a selection that he has long rubbed shoulders with in young people (59 capes). Naturalized Hungarian in 2019 after six seasons in the national championship, the right-back trained in Nantes made his selection debut last year and now has 12 capes, including a memorable one, during the play-off to snatch qualification for the Euro (November 12, 2020), when he equalized against Iceland in the last moments (2-1). Came on against Portugal, where he gave Szabolcs Schön an assist before the linesman raised his flag for offside,Nego claims a place in the eleven holder of Italian coach Marco Rossi, who enjoyed his entry into the game. In any case, the Franco-Hungarian certainly does not regret his choice, as he told Le Figaro: “I I didn't even have a 0.1% chance of joining the France A team. Today, I have the opportunity to play for a Euro. Many would like to be in my place. ”
To read also: Euro: Loïc Nego, the unexpected Frenchman who challenges the Blues
A shortage of playmakers
If Hungary was particularly awaiting this Euro, of which it plays two matches at home, it was also because it was eager to perform with Dominik Szoboszlai, the new nugget of Magyar football, hero of the dam against Iceland. Sadly, the 20-year-old attacking midfielder, who left Salzburg for Leipzig this winter for 20 million euros but where he still has not played due to a recurring groin injury, was forced to leave the camp. base of the team in early July. And as bad news never comes alone, the best member of the selection is accompanied on the flank by ... his deputy. Best player in the last Slovakian league, Zsolt Kalmar (26) had to forfeit due to a knee injury. And to top it off, another number 10, Daniel Gazdag (25),left Telki, where the selection is held, due to a knee injury, too.
