V HUNGARY 8PM MANCINI’S OLD TEAM-MATE HAS GIVEN MINNOWS TEETH
oberto Mancini is winning new admirers at Euro 2020 with Italy’s elegant football and his own effortless sartorial style.
But another, slightly less iconic Italian is also making a big impression on the tournament – and can even achieve the unthinkable tonight by knocking Germany out of the championship. Marco Rossi may not have enjoyed as illustrious a playing or managerial career as his compatriot and fellow 56-year-old Mancini, but the Hungary boss has come to the fore at these Euros.
Under Rossi, Hungary have proved one of the surprise packages, and they can make the last 16 at the expense of Germany with victory over Joachim Low’s side in Munich tonight.
Hungary’s deserved 1-1 draw with World Cup holders France has already proved Rossi’s side can thwart the bigger nations – with a strong defence and dangerous threat on the counter-attack. Under their captain, RB Leipzig goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi, Hungary’s discipline and diligence has seen them tear up the script in Group F, which also includes holders Portugal. Hungary midfielder Laszlo Kleinheisler even upstaged Paul Pogba, Kylian Mbappe, N’Golo Kante and Antoine Griezmann to win the man-of-the-match award for helping his side earn a point against the French. And in wing-back Loic Nego, Hungary have a player who can clock up a running speed of 33.8kmh, vying to be the fastest man at this tournament. And if they lack a little individual talent, they make up for that with a collective ethos and desire.
That formidable team-ethic has been instilled by Rossi, whose nomadic playing career took him to Mexico and Germany as well as spells at Brescia and Sampdoria – where he played with Mancini – and whose managerial years have largely been spent in Europe’s lower leagues.
But seasons coaching in European outposts helped Rossi forge a philosophy which could yet send one of Europe’s football heavyweights packing before the knockout stage.
Opening up on his approach with Hungary, Rossi said: “When I first met the squad, I told the guys that whoever is in the national team should bust a gut.
“Heart is the most important thing in football. For the national team, it’s even more true. We possess players who are committed and work hard every day to improve themselves. We have our limits, but it really augurs well for the future.
“Nowadays, many coaches are convinced that the team wins because of the coach’s tactics. They’re wrong. The players are always the lead characters.
“Since we’re here at the fun-fair, we also want to play and we want to perform well, but we must keep our feet on the ground.We’re hoping to bring our ‘A’ game with us to Munich.”
Having held Portugal for 84 minutes, before three late goals, and taken the lead against France, Germany will know not to underestimate Rossi’s side.
Former Germany skipper Lothar Matthaus, who coached Hungary from 2003 to 2006, warned: “I’m expecting Germany to create chances – but Hungary’s great team unity can bridge the gap in quality. Germany are clear favourites, but anything can happen.
“So much has changed in Hungarian football in the past 15 years since I was national team coach. It’s been great to see the happy Hungarian supporters in a packed stadium.”