baijan Vs Hungary.

Two national teams desperately seeking a reversal of fortunes are set to clash in an international friendly on Tuesday, as Azerbaijan welcome Hungary to the Dalga Arena in Baku. Both teams approach this fixture burdened by extended winless runs, and neither side has managed to generate momentum in recent outings, raising the stakes for what might otherwise be considered a low-pressure exhibition match. For Azerbaijan, the drought has stretched over nine consecutive matches without a victory. Hungary, while slightly better statistically, arrive in the Azerbaijani capital on the back of a five-game winless streak that has seen them falter in both competitive and friendly contests. With both teams seeking redemption, the match presents an opportunity to reset trajectories ahead of more meaningful fixtures later in the year.

Azerbaijan’s descent into a prolonged slump has been particularly stark given the anticipation that surrounded the appointment of Fernando Santos as head coach. The Portuguese tactician, well-regarded across Europe for guiding Portugal to a historic triumph in the inaugural UEFA Nations League in 2019, was announced as Azerbaijan’s new leader shortly after their last victory—a 3-2 win over Kazakhstan in June 2024. That friendly success briefly stirred optimism among fans and observers, offering a glimmer of hope that better days might lie ahead. However, that solitary win has turned out to be an anomaly rather than the beginning of a turnaround. Since Santos took the reins, the team has stumbled through a dismal stretch, marked by seven losses and two draws across nine matches, encompassing both friendlies and competitive Nations League fixtures.

The optimism that typically follows the arrival of a seasoned manager has quickly eroded under the weight of repeated underperformance. Azerbaijan’s campaign in the UEFA Nations League, held between September and November 2024, was particularly disappointing. The national side managed to earn just one point from six matches, finishing bottom of their group and consequently suffering relegation to League D, the lowest tier of the competition. The struggles have not been confined to the Nations League. Friendly encounters in early 2025 have offered no solace, with losses to Haiti and Belarus in March further highlighting the depth of Azerbaijan’s current problems. Their most recent outing, a goalless draw away to Latvia, at least ended a run of defeats, but it did little to inspire confidence given the lack of attacking invention on display.

Indeed, it is the dual failings at both ends of the pitch that have defined Azerbaijan’s current malaise. Defensively, the team has been porous, allowing 22 goals in their last nine matches—an average of over two goals conceded per game. Such fragility makes it exceedingly difficult to compete, let alone secure victories. However, the problems are just as pronounced in the final third. Azerbaijan have not scored a single goal in any of their last five matches, a statistic that speaks volumes about the team's lack of cutting edge and creativity. This goal drought is not a new phenomenon either. The national team has long struggled in front of goal, and their record against Hungary further underscores these attacking woes. Across seven previous encounters with the Magyars, Azerbaijan have failed to score on five occasions, a trend they will be desperate to reverse in their latest meeting.

Hungary, for their part, might take some comfort from their historical dominance over Azerbaijan. The two nations have faced off seven times prior to Tuesday’s contest, with Hungary emerging victorious on each occasion. In that span, they have conceded only twice while netting 19 goals, a lopsided record that clearly establishes them as the superior side in this fixture. Yet, while the statistics may point to Hungarian superiority, recent performances suggest that Marco Rossi’s team is far from its best. Since securing a 2-0 away win over Bosnia and Herzegovina in October 2024, Hungary have endured a stretch of poor results. They have failed to win any of their five subsequent matches, managing just one draw while suffering four defeats.

Of particular concern for the Hungarians is their showing in the Nations League playoffs, where they were comprehensively beaten by Turkey. Over the two-legged affair, Hungary conceded six goals and managed only one in reply, succumbing to a 6-1 aggregate defeat that saw them relegated from League A to League B for the upcoming 2026–27 edition of the tournament. This demotion mirrored Azerbaijan’s own slide within the same competition, albeit from a lower starting point. The parallels in their respective declines offer an intriguing backdrop to Tuesday’s clash, with both teams attempting to rebuild in the aftermath of disappointing campaigns.

Hungary's most recent match, a 2-0 loss at home to Sweden just days ago, continued the troubling trend. Despite playing on familiar soil, Rossi's men were unable to muster the attacking thrust needed to breach the Swedish defense, resulting in back-to-back matches without a goal. While Hungary’s attacking numbers have not reached the crisis levels seen in Azerbaijan, the lack of recent firepower is certainly worrying. Moreover, their away form has also raised eyebrows. Since the beginning of 2024, Hungary have only managed two victories in 10 matches played on foreign soil. One of those came in Bosnia, but they have lost each of their last two away games, adding another layer of uncertainty heading into this fixture.

In terms of personnel and tactics, both teams appear to be struggling to find the right balance. Azerbaijan’s approach under Santos has been predictably pragmatic, with a focus on defensive organization and structural discipline. However, such an approach has yielded limited results without the attacking flair to capitalize on opposition errors. The squad lacks a prolific goalscorer, and their midfield has failed to consistently supply the service needed to create meaningful opportunities. Without a clear focal point in attack or a playmaker capable of unlocking defenses, Azerbaijan have often looked toothless going forward. Santos’s attempts to instill a more solid defensive framework have also been undermined by individual errors and a general lack of cohesion in the backline.

Hungary, by contrast, have a more established tactical identity under Marco Rossi, who has been at the helm since 2018. Rossi has typically favored a 3-4-2-1 system, relying on wingbacks to provide width and mobility. When functioning properly, the system allows Hungary to transition quickly and support the lone striker with midfield runners. However, execution has been inconsistent in recent months. The midfield has lacked dynamism, and the attacking trio often appears isolated and devoid of chemistry. Injuries and squad rotation have further disrupted their rhythm, making it difficult for Rossi to field a settled lineup capable of executing his game plan effectively.

The mental aspect of this match cannot be ignored either. With both teams mired in winless streaks, confidence is likely to be fragile. In such circumstances, the first goal could prove decisive, not only for its impact on the scoreline but also for its psychological implications. A team struggling to score, like Azerbaijan, might find it increasingly difficult to respond if they fall behind early. Similarly, Hungary, despite their superior record, could be vulnerable to a crisis of belief if the match does not go according to plan. For both managers, Tuesday’s game represents more than just another friendly. It is an opportunity to halt a negative spiral and lay the foundation for future progress.

Despite the modest stakes of a non-competitive fixture, the outcome could carry significant weight for both coaching staffs. For Fernando Santos, continued failure might prompt questions about his suitability for the role, especially given the limited improvements seen since his appointment. While his reputation remains intact based on past achievements, the pressure to deliver at least incremental progress will only intensify with each setback. A positive result against Hungary would offer a much-needed reprieve and perhaps signal that the team is starting to internalize his philosophy.

On the other side, Marco Rossi finds himself in a slightly more stable position but is not immune to scrutiny. Hungary’s recent regression, particularly after showing promise in previous international windows, has frustrated supporters who had grown accustomed to greater consistency. A win in Baku would not only preserve Hungary’s perfect record against Azerbaijan but also provide a much-needed morale boost ahead of upcoming competitive matches.

In summary, while Tuesday’s clash at the Dalga Arena may not carry the prestige or consequence of a tournament match, it represents a crucial juncture for two struggling national sides. For Azerbaijan, it is a chance to end a dire run of form and reward their supporters with a home victory that has eluded them for nearly a year. For Hungary, it is an opportunity to reaffirm their superiority in this head-to-head and reverse a downward trajectory that has seen them lose ground on the international stage. Both teams will enter the fixture burdened by recent failures but buoyed by the chance to finally change the narrative. Whether either can rise to the occasion remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the stakes, though unofficial, could not feel more real.