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Hungary manager Attila Pinter has called for patience after his Euro 2016 preparations were hit by a bust-up with striker Adam Szalai. There is a sense of new beginnings ahead of Hungary's opening fixture against Northern Ireland, with Pinter taking charge of his first competitive fixture and the national side making their maiden appearance at Budapest's new Groupama Arena. But the familiar story of internal strife is still complicating matters for Hungarian team, with Hoffenheim forward Szalai having declared he will not play as long as Pinter is in charge. The two have a history of enmity but the 26-year-old's absence is a big blow and Pinter, studiously declining to name Szalai, acted quickly to call for support on the eve of the campaign. "I don't want to go into personal issues or stories but this is always part of preparations for Hungary, attempts to take away the squad's attention and concentration on the task, which is to win games," he said. "We need players we can put our faith in and the squad I have selected fits three main criteria. "One, they fit the system we have decided to play. Two, they are the players who have most experience, the most games in their legs. Three, and most importantly, is that their human qualities are suitable for the squad as well as their technical ability and skill. "I don't want to say any more about the choice of squad but for the fans I say this: there will be difficult moments and I am asking them to get behind the team and support even when it is not going well. "From all football-loving people I ask they understand not to draw huge conclusions from one game." Another player who is missing from the match is veteran Zoltan Gera. The former Fulham and West Brom playmaker was due for a reunion with former team-mates Chris Brunt, Chris Baird and Aaron Hughes but will now sit out due to injury. "We are sad about what happened to Zolly. It would have been great for him to play but he got an injury," said Pinter. "If he was going to play he had to pass a fitness test the day at noon the day before the game and it never happened."
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