Serbia have a reasonably forgettable World Cup report, particularly within the twenty first century. Within the three tournaments they’ve certified for since 2002, the Eagles have didn’t make it out of the group stage in every.
A proficient Serbia squad dissatisfied in Russia final outing, and so they have their work lower out in the event that they’re to progress into the knockout section this time round contemplating the problem of Group G.
This is what to anticipate from Serbia on the World Cup.
Goalkeepers: Marko Dmitrovic (Sevilla), Vanja Milinkovic-Savic (Torino), Predrag Rajković (Mallorca)
Defenders: Nikola Milenkovic (Fiorentina), Stefan Mitrovic (Getafe), Strahinja Pavlovic (Salzburg), Milos Veljkovic (Werder Bremen), Filip Mladenovic (Legia Warsaw), Srdan Babic (Almeria), Strahinja Erakovic (Crimson Star Belgrade)
Midfielders: Dusan Tadic (Ajax), Nemanja Gudelj (Sevilla), Filip Kostic (Juventus), Nemanja Maksimovic (Getafe), Filip Duricic (Sampdoria), Nemanja Radonjic (Torino), Sergej Milinkovic-Savic (Lazio), Sasa Lukic (Torino), Andrija Zivkovic (PAOK), Uros Racic (Braga), Ivan Ilic (Hellas Verona), Darko Lazovic (Hellas Verona)
Forwards: Aleksandar Mitrovic (Fulham), Luka Jovic (Fiorentina), Dusan Vlahovic (Juventus)
Star strikers Aleksandar Mitrovic and Dusan Vlahovic each picked up accidents in October however the pair have nonetheless been included in Dragan Stojkovic’s 26-man squad.
Mitrovic has been battling an ankle damage since late September and he missed Fulham’s final two matches because of this. Vlahovic, in the meantime, has been sidelined because the finish of October and has subsequently missed 5 Bianconeri fixtures forward of the World Cup.
Sergej Milinkovic-Savic
The Lazio talisman hasn’t been in the very best of kind as of late and being pressured to play in a midfield two could inhibit his distinctive attacking reward. However, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic is a participant that opposing groups must sport plan for.
Filip Kostic
The dynamic wing-back performs a key function in Stojkovic’s three-at-the-back system. Filip Kostic is loving life in Turin after becoming a member of Juventus in the summertime and is heading into the event in a wealthy vein of kind. Each Mitrovic and Vlahovic shall be seeking to profit from his fierce crossing supply.
Dusan Tadic
Dusan Tadic is the inventive hub on this Serbia facet and he ought to function off the entrance two in a free-roaming #10 perform. The Ajax star will skipper his nation on the event and can proceed to chip away at Branislav Ivanovic’s all-time report of 105 caps (Tadic at the moment has 90).
Aleksandar Mitrovic
As already alluded to, Mitrovic’s participation is doubtful due to damage – however there is not any doubting his significance on the subject of targets.
The 28-year-old has bagged 50 targets in 76 internationals for Serbia, 15 of which have are available in qualification video games for the World Cup and one on the event itself – towards Switzerland in a 2-1 defeat again in 2018.
Serbia are anticipated to line up in a 3-4-1-2 on the World Cup with Tadic working off injured entrance two Mitrovic and Vlahovic. Width shall be offered by wing-backs Andrija Zivkovic and Kostic, whereas Ivan Ilic will try and convey stability in midfield alongside the forward-thinking Milinkovic-Savic.
Serbia predicted XI: Milinkovic-Savic; Veljkovic, Milenkovic, Pavlovic; Zivkovic, Milinkovic-Savic, Ilic, Kostic; Tadic; Mitrovic, Vlahovic.
Serbia topped Portugal of their qualifying group to routinely progress into the World Cup and so they head into the event having received their Nations League group in 2022.
After tasting defeat to Norway on Matchday 1, Serbia received 4 of their subsequent 5 video games to win B4 and earn promotion as much as League A.
Serbia’s final 5 outcomes (all competitions)
Norway 0-2 Serbia Serbia 4-1 Sweden Slovenia 2-2 Serbia Sweden 0-1 Serbia Serbia 4-1 Slovenia
Serbia head into the event in fantastic kind and their beginning XI is fairly sturdy. Nicely-balanced and proficient going ahead, some would possibly even fancy Stojkovic’s facet to get pleasure from a deep run in Qatar.
Nonetheless, there are just a few considerations. Firstly, Serbia have been paired alongside pre-tournament favourites Brazil, dependable Switzerland, and a bodily Cameroon facet in Group G. It’s going to be a really difficult group for the Serbians to get out of.
Furthermore, their lack of squad depth is a priority and it may come again to chunk them in crunch time, whereas their pitiful report on the World Cup cannot be ignored. Serbia have underwhelmed at earlier tournaments, and the identical may occur in Qatar.
Prediction: Group stage exit
