Hungary boss Marco Rossi has played down concerns that Dominik Szoboszlai could miss Sunday’s meeting with Scotland - but admits changes will be made to his struggling side.

The 23-year-old midfielder trained individually in the lead-up to tomorrow’s meeting in Stuttgart. Hungary are pointless after losing 3-1 to Switzerland and 2-0 to Germany during their opening two matches at Euro 2024. Rossi insists that the move is simply precautionary as he seeks to get the best from a ‘rested’ captain.

“We will wait until the 11th hour and assess how everyone is, but there are no real concerns over Szoboszlai,” he said.

“At this stage of the competition and season, it has been a long campaign for him. What matters most is rest and recovery.

“We don’t really have any worrying [injury] situations. We have assessed things from a physical and tactical perspective and there will be a couple of changes but that’s not down to performances by any means. Simply because we think we can have a bit more freshness.”

While progression with a win is unlikely for Rossi’s side, it remains possible. Many thought that Hungary, who arrived in Germany on the back of a 14-game unbeaten streak, could be potential dark horses in this summer’s finals. Following a damaging first half against Switzerland that saw them lose a two-goal lead they’ve never really recovered, however. Pride and points are up for grabs for Rossi who expects to face a traditionally aggressive Scottish opponent at the Stuttgart Arena tomorrow, with Steve Clarke's side far improved in their 1-1 draw with the Swiss having been on the wrong end of a 5-1 defeat against Germany in Munich.

Clarke’s side know that a win will secure their place in the knockout rounds of a major tournament for the first time in the nation's history. It means that not only do both teams want to win, but need to.

“I think given the results thus far, 0 points, there is no alternative but a win if we want to continue our progress,” Rossi added.

“This is a decisive game for both teams and the pressure is equally on for us and Scotland.

“Scotland are always aggressive, they tried to play like that in the first two matches as well. I think we are in the same boat - we want to get three points as well. Obviously coming away with maximum points might see us through and were that not to come to pass, at least we can go away having taken three points. Our aim is exactly the same tomorrow.

“Scotland’s first game against Germany is difficult to evaluate because they ended with 10 players. We know of their fighting spirit and against Switzerland, they did well in many aspects and were unlucky to hit the post. The Scottish team are generally dangerous because of their attitude and have great players like John [McGinn] and Scott [McTominay]. We know them well and I hope we can find the right mood to face them.”

Meanwhile, Hungary duo Attila Szalai and Endre Botka expect to face a ‘ferocious’ Scotland side in Stuttgart. Like their manager, the defenders were keen to stress the importance of ending their tournament on a high if the final group game is their last of the tournament.

“We are aware of the Scottish team’s performance and strengths. An aggressive team that work a lot with and without the ball,” Szalai said.

“They defend compactly, have strong counterattacks, set-pieces and crosses with lots of players from a high level. Togetherness is what we want to put out on the pitch, that’s something that characterises Scotland as well so we want to do better than them in this aspect.”

“In the two games Scotland have played so far they showed different phases,” Botka added. “In the first game, they left more open space and defended deep which didn’t end up so well. In the second game, we saw a much more confident and brave Scotland who were more ferocious. We are preparing for the second version.”

The pair also refuted claims that they are too dependent on tactical instructions from their manager to react during games. Switzerland surprised Hungary with their gameplan on matchday one, leading to criticism from some quarters that the team couldn't adapt and overcome in-game difficulties. 

“Every player tries to put on the pitch what the head coach asks, this criticism doesn’t hold water as other games show if we need to, we can adapt in the middle of the game,” said Szalai.

“The head coach emphasises he can not always help immediately, you cannot always hear during the game [the message from the dugout]. We have leaders in the team and a strong unity.”

“I also refute this criticism,” Botka added. “Marco does not only have one plan and the players can predict these situations and judge on their own how to adapt. This criticism can sound fair because the last two games were an underperformance, but I don’t think it is fair.”