Fastgoal.com <World Cup 2018> - Group E - Serbia Team Review

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Serbia

FIFA World Ranking: 35
Qualifying Average Goals Per Match: 2.00
Qualifying Average Goals Against Per Match: 1.00
Qualifying Top Scorer: Aleksandar Mitrovic (6)
World Cup Best Performance: Fourth Place (1930 & 1962)

Group E Opponents: Brazil, Costa Rica and Switzerland


The Manager: Mladen Krstajic
Having been assistant to Slavoljub Muslin throughout qualification, many expected Krstaljic to continue in largely the same vein having been handed control following Muslin’s dismissal. That however has not really been the case. Rocking the boat a little by changing his captain fron Branislav Ivanovic to Aleksandar Kolarov, Krstajic favours a more expansive style than the defence first ethos of his predecessor, which at least makes Serbia a little better to watch.


The Squad:
Pretty strong throughout, Serbia possess a wealth of experience at the back with Ivanovich and Kolarov boasting a total of 176 caps between them. Matija Nastasic has been in fine form for Roma this season and should take his place at centre back.

The side possess real quality in midfield, with Manchester United’s Nemanja Matic likely to be one of the very best holding midfielders in the competition. If Matic provides the base, the man charged with bringing the creativity is looking increasingly likely to be Lazio’s emerging star Sergej Milinkovic-Savic. Strong and skilful with an eye for goal, this cold be the tournament where the 23 year old announces himself to the world.

Dusan Tadic has been the most trustworthy source of both goals and assists in the past few years and continues to be a lively threat on the right-hand side.

Things didn’t quite work out for Aleksandar Mitrovic at Newcastle, but he has been in electrifying form since his loan switch to Fulham and has been Mr Reliable for Serbia in qualification, notching an impressive six goals from nine matches. Physical and combative and an accomplished finisher, he provides an excellent focal point to the attack.


Star Man: Nemanja Matic
With Krstaljic seemingly intent on introducing a splash of youth to this Serbia side, the experience of the elder statesmen of the squad becomes increasingly important. Most influential of all is likely to be Nemanja Matic in the centre of the park. An excellent ball-winner and distributer, Matic is the type of player who can totally dominate the flow of the game when on song. Now 29, this will be his last World Cup in his peak years and he will be keen to show what he can do.


Outlook:
Changing managers and style is far from ideal headed into the finals, but other than Brazil, Serbia could have been handed a much tougher group assignment. Overall, they do have the players to be well suited to a more attacking approach in time and may well grow into this tournament. Their famed tenacity can see them grab second spot.


Group E Prediction: http://fastgoal.com/forum/index.php?topic=2473.0

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