【Qatar World Cup】Serbia【Full Explanation】

National Team

All 32 teams participating in the World Cup in Qatar are introduced.

This time, we will introduce the Serbian team from Group G, which won a direct confrontation with the powerful Portuguese team in the final match of the final qualifying round, and successfully decided to go to Qatar.

スポンサーリンク

Basic Information

Number of appearances13th(Two consecutive)
Highest Achievement4th
FIFA Ranking21th
Capital cityBelgrade
Population6.91 million
ManagerDragan Stojkovic
NicknameОrlovi(eagle)

Results of last 6 games

6/6UNLSlovenia4-1H
6/10UNLSweden0-1A
6/13UNLSlovenia2-2A
9/25UNLSweden4-1H
9/28UNLNorway0-2A
11/19Friendly matchBahrain5-1N
<Overview>

・In recent years, the Serbian national team has failed to match the talent and quality of its players, losing in the group stage at the last World Cup in Russia and failing to qualify for the main tournament at last summer’s EURO, where they were eliminated in the playoffs. In order to turn the team around, the hero Stojkovic was appointed as the new coach.

・In his first call-up after taking over in March of last year, “Pixie” made a number of changes, including the omission of several players, including Kolarov (who retired in June of this year), who was captain at the time. The team was reborn as an aggressive team with the emergence of young players such as Vlahovic, and won a head-to-head match against the powerful Portugal in the final qualifying round, thus successfully securing the team’s trip to Qatar.

・Although Matić (Roma), a longtime supporter of the team, has retired from the national team, experienced players such as Tadić are still in good shape. Depending on how Pixie handles the reins, he could be the dark horse of the tournament.

<Group Stage Schedule 【Group G】>
Date of a matchLocal game start timeopponentTotal match record
Section 1November 2422:00Brazil
(1th)
0 wins, 0 draw, 2 losses
Section 2November 2813:00Cameroon
(43th)
1 wins, 0 draw, 0 losses
Section 3December 222:00Switzerland
(16th)
0 wins, 0 draw, 1 losses

Manager

(Name)Dragan Stojkovic
(Date of birth)1965.3.3(57
(nationality)Serbia
 (inauguration) March 2021

・She represented Yugoslavia in the 1990 and 1998 World Cups. Her graceful technique captivated the audience and earned her the nickname “Pixie” (fairy).

・Since taking over as national team coach in March of last year, he has actively changed the team members and has consistently adopted a three-back system as far as the system is concerned. His charisma helped rebuild a team that was struggling, and the team became more stable, winning six of eight World Cup qualifying matches and winning two of them, ultimately leading the team to Qatar after winning the competition with Portugal.

Basic Formations & Tactics

Consistently employ a stable back three. Can we make the most of our talented youngsters?

<Basic Formation>


At Attack

・Although the team has a number of tall players up front, they do not often use the long ball with ease. They feed the ball to the wing backs who are positioned high up the field, and from there they threaten the opponent’s goal by linking up with S. Milinkovic-Savic and the top two players.

・Tadic plays a major role there. The veteran, who scored double-digit goals and assisted double-digit goals for Ajax last season, can be used to disrupt the opposition with his versatile positioning: he can drift into half-space and link up with a wing-back to break down the flanks, or he can drop into midfield, receive the ball, and immediately target the space behind him.

・In the striker group, Jovic has not been able to show his full potential at Real Madrid, where he played until last year, but Vlahovic, who has made a big step forward, and Mitrovic, who was in great form last season, are a threat to the opponents.

・On the other hand, the space behind the wingbacks is a weak point, and in the June games against Sweden and Slovenia, there were many instances where the backs were exploited, leading to pinch points. However, if the wingbacks do not attack up front, the attack will become monotonous, and the team must be prepared to take risks in order to advance to the final tournament.


<At Defense>

・When defending, both wingbacks drop back to form a back five. The two top players form a vertical relationship and prepare for counters.

・The basic setup is [3-4-1-2], but the team has shown some flexibility regarding the detailed setup, such as experimenting with [3-4-2-1].

・The back three is fixed with Veljkovic, Pavlovic, and Milenkovic. All three are highly trusted by their coach, and all three have the height and strength to make a difference in the match against the opposition.

・The midfielders Lukic and Gudelj are both highly committed and can be counted on to cover the spaces created by their own teammates without missing a beat. This defensive lineup allows both wingbacks to take up high positions.

Star players(Top 4)

Dušan Vlahović(FW/Juventus)

“Serbia’s Greatest Treasure”

Versatile Striker with height, strength and speed. He will be a different player in his national team debut in 2020.

He has a modern style that allows him to perform at a high level all the plays required of a CF, including post play with the DF on his back, moves to attack spaces behind him, finishing work in the penalty area, and of course counter attacks in open spaces.

In terms of absolute quality, he is somewhat behind Haaland in speed, quickness, and technique, including shooting accuracy, but still has the potential to develop into a world-class CF.


Dusan Tadić (FW/Ajax)

・”Team Leader”

・An absolute leader who earns the trust and respect of his teammates. With Ajax, he has achieved double-digit goals and assists for four consecutive years, showing no signs of slowing down. He won the assists title six times in the Eredivisie.

・Using a wide field of view, advanced techniques, and natural inspiration as weapons, he accomplishes decisive work. He has a strong self-assertive style, such as dribbling breakthrough and mid-range shots, but more than that, the quality of his assists is top-level. He is the team’s best technician and rarely loses the ball.


Sergej Milinković-Savić (FW/Lazio)

・”Sargent”

・A trump card that makes a big difference with first-class physicality, technology, and tactical understanding. Skillful use of space and receiving vertical passes between the lines sets the stage for goals with decisive final passes that combine precision and artistry.

・Strong in aerial battles and excellent as a target for long balls. Bring it to the finish with an off-the-ball back-through and score a goal. Even though he receives interest from mega clubs every year, he still maintains his unwavering love for Lazio.


Aleksandar Mitrović(FW/Fulham)

・”The Main Gun of Serbia”

・Serbia’s all-time top goalscorer, scoring at an astounding pace of 50 goals in 76 international appearances. He scored 43 goals last season, a record-breaking English Second Division record, helping Fulham win promotion to the Premier League.

・Shows absolute strength in his exceptional sense of goal and aerial, and can score in any pattern. On the other hand, he has a bad habit of getting too hot and getting cards.

Players List

<GK>

NameAgeClub teamRepresentative Results (Goals)
Predrag Rajković27Mallorca28 caps・Replaces ailing Dmitrovic as regular goalkeeper
・his dream is to play for Chelsea.
Marko Dmitrović30Sevilla FC19 caps・Veteran goalkeeper building a career in Spain.
・Has experience as a PK kicker.
Vanja Milinković-Savić25Torino4 caps・Confident in his ability to handle the high ball using his over 2-meter frame.
・MF Savic is his brother.

<DF>

Nikola Milenković25Fiorentina37 caps(3)・His aerial game is powerful, utilizing his favorable physique, and he is a great talent at CB that mega clubs are interested in.
・Recommended movie is “The Invisible Guest”.
Miloš Veljković27Bremen20 caps・Born in Switzerland and raised in the Spurs academy
・Also prefers to play in midfield
Strahinja Pavlović21Salzburg20 caps(1)・Despite his young age, the director trusts him.
・Utilize physicality to destroy the enemy’s opportunities.
Matija Nastasić29Fiorentina34 caps・Elegant play brings calmness to the final line
Stefan Mitrović32Getafe32 caps・Experienced CBs with national and international experience
・He wore the captain’s mark against Japan last year.
Nikola Maksimović30Free25 caps・Can also be a volante or SB.
Filip Mladenović31 Legia Warsaw19 caps(1)・Played in EL last season
Mihailo Ristic27Benfica9 caps・Bold offensive moves and quality kicks in goal.
 Aleksa Terzić23Fiorentina5 caps・On the left side, he can play either defensively or offensively.
Strahinja Eraković21Red Star 1 caps・A talented CB called “the future of Serbia”
・Because the weight is not so heavy, it boasts a win rate of 70% or more with a quick and agile interpersonal style.
・Threat even in aerial combat
Srđan Babić26Almería2 caps・CB with tall stature and power play
・Main member when Serbia won the U-20 World Cup in 2015

<MF>

Nemanja Gudelj31Sevilla48 caps(1)・He is indispensable as an offensive and defensive switcher, and his utility in playing multiple positions and his fighting spirit to inspire the team are also worth mentioning.
・Last season, Sevilla struggled with a string of injuries.
Filip Kostic30Juventus48 caps(3)・Last season was the source of the EL championship and the peak of his career.
・Change the situation with own left foot with unmatched accuracy
Nemanja Maksimović27Getafe38 caps・Execute ball possession through high-intensity pressing using overwhelming physicality
Sergej Milinković-Savić27Lazio34 caps(6)・Big, good, smart.
Saša Lukić26Torino FC30 caps(1)・Centerline can be used from top to CB.
Marko Grujić26FC Porto17 caps・Not only playmaking, but also goal scoring with high hitting heads and middles.
Uroš Račić24SC Braga8 caps・When they get the ball, they carry it powerfully and bring propulsion
・Middle is very destructive.
Nemanja Radonjić26Torino FC35 caps(5)・Three combinations of speed, physical strength, and technique to break through the defense
・Walk through prestigious names such as Rome and Benfica
Mijat Gaćinović27AEK Athens23 caps(2)・Vertical tricks are eye-catching.
Ivan Ilić21Verona3 caps・Although it is a box-to-box type, it is a mass of talent that can also make games with the left foot
・Manchester City academy graduate
Andrija Živković26PAOK28 caps(1)・Although he is small, he is appealing for his cut-ins that make the most of his technique, crosses with his left foot, and punchy shots.
Darko LAZOVIC32Verona25 caps・Left WB at the club, right WB at the national team, and can also be an offensive midfielder
・ Vertical propulsion is attractive

<FW>

Dusan Tadić34Ajax88 caps(18)・He also plays inside half this season.
Aleksandar Mitrović28Fulham74 caps(46)・Most points scored in England’s second division.
Luka Jović24Fiorentina26 caps(9)・Scorer with a promising future at Frankfurt, his career stalled at Real Madrid, and this season he moves to Fiorentina.
Dušan Vlahović22Juventus14 caps(7)・The next generation of scorers
Dorde Jovanovic23Maccabi Tel Aviv1 caps・Scored double-digit goals in Israel last season
Filip Đuričić30Sampdoria36 caps(4)・Fantasista who deceives opponents with excellent individual skills and creates chances

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