Later tonight at the Puskás Aréna Park, surprise leaders in Group C Hungary will host second-placed Italy. The tie in which is the final match of the current campaign will be a fight for top place in the group.
Hungary are currently sitting on top of the group with 10 points and Italy in second place with 8 points. A draw is enough to for the Hungarians to wrap up Group C as leaders and they will want to continue with their fairy-tale ride so far in the current UEFA Nation League.
The Magyars have beaten England both home and away, avoided defeat against the Germans. In a group touted as the “Group of Death”, Hungary shocked pundits once again when they defeat powerhouse, Germany last weekend in Leipzig. It should be noted that tonight’s match will be different because the only loss inflicted on them so far in this campaign was from the Italians.
Though with a partisan crowd in Budapest, the Magyars will be buoyed to go for the win. It should be noted that Italy is no pushover and since their failure to qualify for the World Cup later in the year, the game against the Hungarians will be another opportunity for Roberto Mancini to show that he is building a new squad for the future. Last weekend’s victory over English with a relatively young squad is testament that Italian football is evolving. Mancini will most likely name an unchanged squad from last weekend to face Hungary while Hungary will rely on veteran striker Adam Szalai to lead the attack.
Italy has an amazing record against Hungary and has won 17 out of the 34 matches played between the two teams but tonight’s fixture is sitting in the balance.
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