World Soccer - UK (2020-11)

Play-offs: take two

Nick Bidwelllists the top reasons to watch

the rearranged Euro 2020 play-offs

1

Sizzling Szoboszlai

RB Salzburg attacking midfielder

Dominik Szoboszlai is, to put it simply,

the most accomplished young player

to come out of Hungary in many a

long year. This all-or-nothing clash is

an opportunity to grab the spotlight for

the elegant playmaker, who only turns

20 at the end of October. Hungary

coach Marco Rossi confidently predicts

that the teenager will be a world-class

performer in two or three years.

2

Bulgaria’s fab full-backs

In the line-up put together by

coach Georgi Dermendzhiev, Bulgaria

look the strongest in the full-back

department. On the left, Ludogorets’

Anton Nedyalkov combines grit,

resourcefulness and experience

while on the opposite flank, newly-

naturalised Brazilian Cicinho – also

a key figure for domestic champions

Ludogorets – offers all the flamboyant

attacking qualities you would expect

from someone of his South American

background.

3

Hungary’s Bielsa

The Italian Marco Rossi, Hungary’s

boss for the past two years, is a proud

adherent of the Marcelo Bielsa coaching

philosophy, having played under him at

Mexican side Club America. He places

a premium on quick passing, high,

intense pressing and dominating

possession, and while it does not

always work out with Hungary’s

limited squad, the Magyars are

well-drilled and courageous.

4

Bulgarian exports

Foreign-based players have a vital

role to play in Dermendzhiev’s side.

Much is expected of two attack-minded

23-year-olds: midfielder Bozhidar

Kraev, currently in Denmark with

Midtjylland, and Cagliari forward Kiril

Despodov, who was excellent on loan

at Sturm Graz last season. Vice-captain

Georgi Kostadinov plays for Arsenal

Tula in Russia, while centre-back Vasil

Bozhikov, skipper of Slovakians Slovan

Bratislava, will also feature prominently.

5

The Leipzig core

It’s Hungary’s good fortune that

they can count on not one but two

players from leading Bundesliga outfit

RB Leipzig to keep clean sheets. Keeper

Peter Gulacsi, all total composure and

efficiency, is one of the most secure

No.1s in the Bundesliga, while centre-

back Willi Orban has all the attributes of

a defensive fulcrum: physically powerful,

two-footed, a good reader of the game

and comfortable on the ball, as well as

a considerable threat at set-pieces.

Bulgaria v Hungary

EURO 2020 PLAY-OFFS PREVIEW | PATH A

Outofform...

Bulgaria were

beaten by Wales

in September

One to watch...

Dominik Szoboszlai