Hungary welcomes Germany to the Puskás Aréna on Saturday in a Nations League A clash that looks lopsided on paper. Marco Rossi’s Magyars have punched above their weight at recent tournaments, but Julian Nagelsmann’s rejuvenated Germany arrives in Budapest with momentum, depth and a clear attacking identity built around Jamal Musiala, Florian Wirtz and Kai Havertz.
Recent form favors the visitors: Germany followed their Euro 2024 quarter-final run with back-to-back qualifying wins over Bosnia and the Netherlands, scoring seven without reply. Hungary, meanwhile, scraped a 1-1 draw in Bosnia before laboring past weak opposition in a friendly. Captain Dominik Szoboszlai remains their creative hub, yet the Liverpool midfielder has lacked consistent support since the retirement of Ádám Szalai.
Tactically, Nagelsmann will replicate the 4-2-3-1 that dismantled the Dutch. Antonio Rüdiger marshals a settled back line, while Robert Andrich and Pascal Groß provide the double pivot that frees Musiala and Wirtz to drift inside. Hungary’s 3-4-2-1 can match numbers in midfield, but full-backs Máté Kerkez and Attila Fiola will be pinned back by Germany’s relentless wide rotations, limiting counter chances for Roland Sallai and Barnabás Varga.
Key duels:
• Musiala vs Willi Orbán – the Bayern dribbler has already drawn four penalties this season; Orbán’s rash timing is exploitable.
• Szoboszlai vs Groß – if the German press allows Szoboszlai to turn, he can launch quick diagonals, but Groß’s positional discipline should stifle that supply.
Injury concerns are minimal on both sides. Hungary hopes midfielder András Schäfer shakes off a knock, while Germany is expected to rest veterans İlkay Gündoğan and Manuel Neuer, giving Alexander Nübel a rare cap.
VERDICT: Germany’s superior squad depth and tactical cohesion should overwhelm a spirited yet limited Hungarian side. Expect an early goal that forces Hungary out of their shell, creating space for late counters.
Score prediction: Hungary 0-3 Germany
