National football team: Tough but very enjoyable preparations undertaken by Storck’s men

The three potential debutants in Hungary’s provisional squad, Márton Eppel, Dávid Holman and Paulo Vinicius, spoke to the media this week about their call-ups and their hopes for the future, as did their head coach Bernd Storck.

All 12 players who arrived at Telki on Sunday are in good health so Bernd Storck was able to continue unhindered his work with his squad after a four-month hiatus.

“I am very happy that we’re finally together and can prepare intensively for the task in front of us, given that it has been four months since our last meeting. We have a very tough match in front of us but what can be a better task than to fight for success at the home of the European champions? We’ve already played superbly against Portugal in out Euro 2016 group-stage match in France and we’re preparing to play well again now. That time we scored three goals but also conceded three goals so we need to think about this and continue to do what we did well, while emphasising an improvement on our weaknesses. During the course of our preparations we’re going to practise various tactics but we’ll only crystallise later how we’ll play in the match. In any case I’m also happy that we’l have time before the match to acclimatise”, said Storck who also went on to talk about the new call-ups and the absentees.

“[Richárd] Guzmics has been a regular squad member during the most recent period of the national team and he will not be easy to replace, but at the same time I am sure that those players to whom this gives an opportunity stand ready for the task and will grab their chance. In regard to Kleinheisler, his absence won’t just necessitate a change of personnel but also a possible change of our system. Although I’m not happy he’ll be absent, there are several solutions imaginable in terms of replacements. In the squad there are also several young players and new faces – all three of these, Márton Eppel, Dávid Holman and Paulo Vinicius – deserve their opportunities becasue they have developed a lot recently”, Hungary’s head coach explained.

Budapest Honvéd forward Márton Eppel has already received a national-team call-up in the past but couldn’t join up that time due to injury. “I’m happy that I can join the squad in preparation for a match against tough opponents. For we debutants, the task is now to prove in the week ahead that they can rely on us and select us with good reason for the national squad. I will do everything I can to be there in the final squad and make my debut for the team in Portugal”, said Eppel who has earned his call-up by virtue of becoming a key player for Marco Rossi’s Honvéd as they mount a surprise Hungarian league title challenge this season.

Another new face, Dávid Holman, has received his call-up despite his team Debrecen struggling in NBI this season. “The team’s poor performance hurts in that I feel I could have scored more goals. Despite all this, I’m happy I can be here now because the national team is the dream for every Hungarian football and we’re all here to help the team in every way we can. Portugal will be a tough nut to crack but tactically we will prepare to the maximum for the match”, the Debrecen midfielder said.

https://dailynewshungary.com/brazilian-bosnian-football-players-became-hungarian-citizens/

Brazilian-born Paulo Vinicius is the third player joining the national squad for the first time and he has long hoped for the chance to play in the Hungarian national team, having only recently finally received his Hungarian citizenship.

“I’ve waited a lot for this opportunity and am happy that I’ve received this invitation to the national squad. Naturally I learn Hungarian a lot but I still need to improve as it’s a very difficult languagem but I’m trying. I’m very motivated and I know that I have to work even harder and better than everyone else for my place in the team,but at the same time it is not myself or my game that is the most important, but the team’s success,” the Videoton defender emphasised.

The domestically-based players in the squad will be joined by those based abroad on 19th March.

Source: MLSZ