Hungary – Italy

Italians must win in Budapest

Whatever the outcome of the final round for Team Hungary, Rossi's side have already become the protagonists of the current UEFA Nations League. The modest Hungarians, drawn in the same group as Germany, Italy and England, were once again a reminder of their tenacity and determination in football in Europe. The same team that made quite a noise in the last year's continental championship, in an equally strong quartet. Italy will arrive in Budapest as the favourites, but after a series of sensational performances by the home team, the bookmakers have the odds slightly in favour of the visitors. Were it not for last year's disappointing World Cup qualifying performance by Rossi, we could be talking about establishing a consistently high level of football in Hungary. Nevertheless, the National League series started in June with a 1-0 home win over England. Few people after that game took the Hungarians' prospects of winning the group seriously. Especially when the victory was followed by a 1-2 defeat for Italy in Cesena, in the rest of June, the Hungarians were good. Despite a 1-1 draw with Germany at home, the Germans scored the only goal of the game, while England were thrashed 4-0 at Wolverhampton. Before September's away game against Germany, the Hungarians' victory in the group was rated by bookmakers at around 5.0. After their triumph in Leipzig, Hungary are favourites to win the group with odds under two. Italy's game against Northern Macedonia was a nightmare to drop out of World Cup qualification, forfeiting a trip to Qatar this winter. The reigning European Champions League triumphators made it through the Nations League rounds smoothly, suffering only one setback in the form of a 2-5 away defeat to Germany. The Italians scored a total of eight points in the remaining fixtures, including a home win over Hungary. Mancini's side can only achieve victory in Budapest and are determined to achieve it. The Hungarians are a confident side at the moment, but that, coupled with the home-field factor, remains a full-fledged argument in favour of Rossi's side. The Italian team are more experienced in crucial matches, and they are much better equipped than their opponents in terms of personnel. The visitors will win the game and advance to the Final Four.