Hungarian national team: We'll press the ‘RESTART' button! – Marco Rossi

– How was the Unicum?
– It was great! – startedMarco Rossi.– I have a good relationship with Sándor Zwack. He surprised me with some custom-made ‘Go, Hungary!' bottles, and when I returned home to Italy, I opened one. Sándor is a frequent guest at our matches, but we also meet outside the stadium – sometimes we have dinner together. Unicum is Unicum – a cent or two is good for digestion.

– Have you had time to process what you achieved with the national team in June?
– Absolutely! I rested for four weeks, and enjoyed every minute of being with my wife and children. We didn't even leave Italy – why would we when there are beaches. Since my son Simone plays water polo there, we spend quite some time in Sicily.

–Did your compatriots recognize you?
– Far more than ever before the European Championships! Various newspapers, television stations and radio channels also contacted me, and if I was honored with their interest, holiday or not, I didn't want to turn them down. At least I could talk about the wonderful experiences I had gained in the beginning of summer.

– It seems that you didn't put football behind you during the vacation.
– I wouldn't be able to do that! I was already in Italy during the knockout stages of the European Championship. I hardly have to describe the atmosphere there. I watched the final with my friends and family – everyone was crazy. After the final whistle, people flooded the streets, and there was a huge party outside. On a side note, I stayed at home, quietly congratulated the players, the staff and, last but not least, Roberto Mancini's victory.

– A month and a half have passed since the Hungarian national team's last group match. Do memories often come back?
– I'll hardly forget what we've been through... Almost every moment is vivid. I can only hope, but I'm quite sure that there's a lot of people out there who the think the same. I didn't want to bother the players these last few weeks, but I've spoken to some of them. You know what's interesting? The fact that we still have the same feelings swirling around in all of us as immediately after the match against Germany. It makes us feel good that we have brought joy to Hungary, but to this day we regret that we missed a great and probably never-returning opportunity in Munich.

– We only needed seven minutes to create something we could be proud of for the rest of our lives... And we should have lasted seven more minutes without a goal against Portugal. Not to mention the fact that the goal from France could have been avoided. It shows that what we have achieved is beautiful, but we still have room for improvement. Never mind, in the beginning of September, we press the ‘RESTART' button and throw ourselves into work with renewed strength and even more motivation than before.

– What did the European Championship give you?
– Reassurance. I can admit today that, although I had the utmost confidence in the boys, I was worried about them, as three of the strongest national teams in the world were our opponents. In the end, though, we walked off the field with our head held high, knowing that although we finished last in our group, we fought to the end and fought to advance. I'm delighted that the fans have appreciated it. But as I've already referred to it, I have a feeling of lack of something. Even if it's not much, there's something missing to make history.

– Do you know what it is?
– We need to reduce the number of mistakes! Goals conceded at the European Championship could also have been avoided. Let there be no mistake, it was never a player's fault, but the team's. The members of this national team are in the same boat – we win together, and we lose together. I'm pleased to see the footballers coming to the national team as if they were returning home. That's the attitude I've wanted to see from day one. It took us some time to get here, but we made it – about a year ago. That is why we have won the right to participate in the European Championship, which is why we were able to compete with Portugal, France and Germany.

– Since then, four footballers, Bendegúz Bolla, Ákos Kecskés, Gergő Lovrencsics and Roland Varga, have found new clubs. Did you expect more?
– Let's not forget that there are weeks left in the transfer window. I think the players mentioned will have more followers... Regarding the transfers, me say that most footballers are already asking for my opinion before the switch. What I understand from this is that they take into account the national team's aspects as well when it comes to changing clubs. I'm very happy about! I find that the financial factor is not their priority, but rather that the change is really a step forward professionally.

– It is believed you have received offers from a national team and two club teams...
– I've received requests before, too, but since they were more financially favorable than professionally, I didn't even think about them. This time, it was different. It would've been a significant challenge to manage one of the top league clubs professionally, but I quickly said no while thanking the offer. I may be old-fashioned, but I consider myself a loyal man. I want to stay loyal to those who stand by me for the rest of my career and even my life. I have a long-term contract with the Hungarian Football Federation, and I wouldn't be able to leave this national team. In the meantime, I believe there is more in front of us than behind us. So, as long as they trust me, and I feel like I have a useful job here, I'm not going anywhere.

– My colleagues and I are keeping our eyes open, but it's no secret that more or less we are counting on the footballers who proved at the European Championships that they are worthy of trust. However, I can tell you that if nothing comes up, Dániel Sallói will also be invited. He's scored nine goals in 16 games, so he's earned the right to be with us. The lineup will be presented on August 25, but I can say that no big surprises are to be expected. In the span of seven days, the team will have three games to play again, so we will announce the extended squad. In addition to the three goalkeepers, we will expect 23 field players in Telki. Unfortunately, Dávid Sigér has been injured for months, but I hope the others don't get injured or anything else. It's important that we get a good result against the English.

– Yes! Although I'd be even happier with nine points...

(Translated by Vanda Orosz)

SCHEDULE AND GROUPS AT THE WORLD CUP EUROPEAN QUALIFIERS

ROUND 1, MARCH 25, THURSDAY
HUNGARY – Poland 3–3(R. Sallai 6., Á. Szalai 53., Orbán 78., and Piatek 60., Józwiak 61., Lewandowski 82.)
England – San Marino 5–0(Ward-Prowse 14., Calvert-Lewin 21., 53., Sterling 31., Watkins 83.)
Andorra – Albánia 0–1(Lenjani 41.)

ROUND 2, MARCH 28, SUNDAY
Albania – England 0–2(Kane 38., Mount 63.)
San Marino – HUNGARY 0–3(Á. Szalai 13. – penalty, R. Sallai 71., Nikolic 88. – penalty)
Poland – Andorra 3–0(Lewandowski 30., 55., Swiderski 88.)

ROUND 3, MARCH 31, WEDNESDAY
Andorra – HUNGARY 1–4(M. Pujol 90+2. – penalty, and Fiola 45+2., Gazdag 51., Kleinheisler 58., Négo 90.)
England – Poland 2–1(Kane 19. – penalty, Maguire 85., and Moder 58.)
San Marino – Albania 0–2(Manaj 63., Uzuni 85.)

ROUND 4, SEPTEMBER 2, THURSDAY
8.45pm:HUNGARY – England
8.45pm:Andorra – San Marino
8.45pm:Poland – Albania

ROUND 5, SEPTEMBER 5, SUNDAY
6pm:Albania – HUNGARY
6pm:England – Andorra
8.45pm:San Marino – Poland

ROUND 6, SEPTEMBER 8, WEDNESDAY

8.45pm:HUNGARY – Andorra
8.45pm:Poland – England
8.45pm:Albania–San Marino

ROUND 7, OCTOBER 9, SATURDAY
8.45pm:HUNGARY – Albania
8.45pm:Andorra – England
8.45pm:Poland – San Marino

ROUND 8, OCTOBER 12, TUESDAY
8.45pm:England – HUNGARY
8.45pm:San Marino – Andorra
8.45pm:Albania – Poland

ROUND 9, NOVEMBER 12, FRIDAY
8.45pm:HUNGARY – San Marino
8.45pm:Andorra – Poland
8.45pm:England – Albania

ROUND 10, NOVEMBER 15, MONDAY
8.45pm:Poland – HUNGARY
8.45pm:San Marino – England
8.45pm:Albania – Andorra