Hungary and Germany will have nothing to play for pride and momentum when they meet in a UEFA Nations League tie at the Puskas Arena Park on Tuesday.
The international break finally ends on Tuesday across the world, with the group stage of the latest edition of the UEFA Nations League culminating this midweek. Group C in the first division will witness two dead rubbers — Bosnia and Herzegovina vs the Netherlands and Hungary vs Germany.
Hungary cannot qualify for the next phase of the UEFA Nations League due to an inferior head-to-head record against the Netherlands. However, the Magyars have given a reasonable account of themselves apart from the two sizable defeats to Germany and the Netherlands. Marco Rossi’s charges will end the campaign third in Group C, comfortably clear of bottom-placed Bosnia.
As for Germany, Julian Nagelsmann continues to make his mark, proving that the failure to win the UEFA Euro 2024 title was a blip. Die Mannschaft will end the current phase as the group winner after amassing 13 points in five games thus far, often scoring goals for fun.
The reverse fixture ended in a 5-0 win for Germany, with Hungary managing only one shot on target. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at the encounter ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides.
Team News & Tactics
Hungary
Marco Rossi has greeted a positive update on the team news front ahead of his side’s latest fixture. Against Germany on Tuesday, Hungary’s head coach will welcome a pivotal figure back into the equation.
Attila Fiola was unavailable to take on the Netherlands last week due to suspension but is back for Hungary’s final game of the 2024/25 UEFA Nations League. However, Milos Kerkez will not feature after he pulled out from the squad due to a knee injury. Szabolcs Schon has replaced the Bournemouth full-back.
Denes Dibusz should get the nod between the sticks, with Hungary lining up in a 3-4-3 formation in front of him vs Germany on Tuesday. The central defensive unit should feature Marton Dardai, Willi Orban, and the returning Fiola. Zsolt Nagy and Loic Nego should be the two wing-backs.
The duo will provide width in the final third while protecting the centre-backs in the defensive phases. As for the midfield unit, Andras Schafer should pair up with Tamas Nikitscher in the double pivot. Finally, Barnabas Varga should lead the line for Hungary against Germany, with Roland Sallai and captain Dominik Szoboszlai completing the numbers in the attacking trifecta.
Probable Lineup (3-4-3): Dibusz; Marton Dardai, Orban, Fiola; Nagy, Schafer, Nikitscher, Nego; Sallai, Varga, Szoboszlai
Germany
Unlike his counterpart in the Hungarian dugout, Julian Nagelsmann has new roster issue hampering his preparations ahead of the trip to the Puskas Arena Park. Germany’s head coach will be without Jonathan Tah.
The 28-year-old centre-back picked up a yellow card against Bosnia and Herzegovina last week, with the booking earning him a suspension. In addition, Joshua Kimmich sustained a knock, with Nagelsmann sweating over his captain’s fitness.
However, Kimmich should be available, joining Antonio Rudiger, Nico Schlotterbeck, and Maximilian Mittelstadt in the backline. Meanwhile, Alexander Nubel should get the nod over Oliver Baumann between the sticks, with Germany lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation in front of him vs Hungary.
As for the midfield unit, Angelo Stiller and Felix Nmecha should get rare starts, with Nagelsmann rotating his troops in a few positions. Florian Wirtz will likely reprise the no. 10 role, with Leroy Sane and Serge Gnabry being the two wide attackers. Finally, Tim Kleindienst will lead the line for Germany against Hungary.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Nubel; Kimmich, Rudiger, Schlotterbeck, Mittelstadt; Stiller, Nmecha; Sane, Wirtz, Gnabry; Kleindienst
Key Stats
- Tuesday’s clash will be the 39th meeting between Hungary and Germany, with Die Mannschaft having the superior head-to-head record with 15 wins (D12 L11).
- No other team has scored more than Germany’s 17 goals in the current Nations League group stages.
- Germany have won three successive games while finding the back of the net first in four of their previous five.
- Germany have scored seven goals in the last two meetings and have kept consecutive clean sheets vs Hungary.
- Florian Wirtz (4) and Jamal Musiala (3) have a combined seven assists between them in this campaign.
Player to Watch
Serge Gnabry
With Julian Nagelsmann likely to rotate his team, a few players will be eager to make an impression against Hungary. Leroy Sane, Felix Nmecha, and Alexander Nubel were some of the candidates for this section, but we have picked Serge Gnabry as the Player to Watch.
The 29-year-old has seen his stock drop in the last 18 months, and he has a golden opportunity to set things right. Gnabry enjoyed some fruitful periods when Nagelsmann was at Bayern Munich, and he will hope to rekindle that partnership this midweek against Hungary.
Prediction
Hungary 1-3 Germany
While Julian Nagelsmann will likely rotate his troops, his squad has more than enough backup to get past Hungary in Budapest. However, the Magyars will not go down without a fight and take the game to their visitors.
A repeat act of the reverse fixture is not on the cards, considering the impending rotation and home court advantage for Marco Rossi’s charges. However, Die Mannschaft should have enough quality to get the three points, with The Hard Tackle predicting a 3-1 victory for Nagelsmann and his men.
