Liverpool midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai has acknowledged that Hungary received a “big slap” from Germany over the weekend but remains optimistic that their confidence has been restored.
Szoboszlai, who captained the national team, witnessed a heavy 5-0 defeat on Saturday evening in Düsseldorf during their UEFA Nations League opener.
However, Hungary bounced back with a much-improved performance on Tuesday night, securing a goalless draw at home against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The visitors’ goalkeeper, Nikola Vasilj, played a crucial role with a series of key saves.
Reflecting on the response to the Germany defeat, Szoboszlai said: “I am proud of the team that after the 5-0 defeat we were able to show our true selves with such a performance, regardless of the fact the result was not the way we wanted it to be.
“The opponent’s goalkeeper performed as if there were three people in the goal.
“I’m only sad because the three points are still three points and not one point, but we started in a good direction that we have to keep and then luck will come.”
Dominik Szoboszlai has made a strong start to the season at Liverpool, transitioning into the number 10 role under new head coach Arne Slot.
He has contributed two assists in three games.
Despite his recent success at the club, the 23-year-old believes there should be no overreaction to Hungary’s heavy defeat against Germany.
“There is no need to organise a funeral because we lost 5-0,” he said to the Hungarian news show Hirado.
“It has happened in history with other teams as well, that the national team lost.
“When we beat England 4-0 (two years ago), everyone is happy, when we lose to the Germans 5-0, it’s the end of the world.
“It was a big slap, but we also learned from this to shake things up a bit, where we are, what we are capable of and how to go out on the field in the next matches,
“If we played 100 matches, it is not even certain that we would succeed in beating England 4-0 or defeating them home and away.
“We achieved results that no Hungarian could imagine.
“We set the bar high for ourselves, which is not a problem, because it is good to have expectations, but this should not be translated into the fact that if we lose, we are the worst.
“Let’s not be too extreme, because there is also an intermediate period, and it is also necessary.”
Read more: Liverpool handed massive injury blow as Harvey Elliott fractures foot
Arsenal could be without eight players for North London derby
Virgil van Dijk sends warning to Matthijs de Ligt after Netherlands poor display
