Dragan Stojkovic, Serbia’s manager, expressed satisfaction with his team’s performance against Sweden in their final friendly before Euro 2024, viewing it as perfect preparation for their opening match against England. Despite a somewhat flattering 3-0 victory over Sweden, Stojkovic was particularly pleased with how well his players executed their game plan.
While not a flawless team, Serbia possesses distinct strengths that make them a potentially dangerous opponent in Euro 2024, despite inconsistent recent results, including a heavy 4-0 defeat to Russia in March. Their clarity of identity and style contrasts sharply with the uncertainties surrounding England, making their upcoming Group C clash highly anticipated.
England may be grappling with squad selection dilemmas and pre-tournament form, but Serbia, led by quality players like Aleksandar Mitrovic, Dusan Vlahovic, and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, are confident in their approach. Stojkovic believes his team can cause an early upset at Euro 2024.
“We are going to start with the score at 0-0, with 11 against 11 on the field — everything is possible,” Stojkovic stated, highlighting their analytical approach to facing England. To understand what England can expect, The Athletic scouted Serbia’s 3-0 win over Sweden in Stockholm.
Dominance in the Air: Serbia’s Cross-Heavy Attack
Serbia’s tactical approach is anything but subtle; they leverage their significant aerial prowess to gain an advantage. At the 2022 World Cup, Serbia boasted the tallest squad, averaging 187.1cm, and they are likely to be among the tallest at Euro 2024 as well. With towering figures like Mitrovic, Vlahovic, and Milinkovic-Savic, along with their imposing centre-back trio in a 5-3-2 formation, aerial balls are central to their game.
This aerial emphasis is evident in their scoring record. Of their 15 goals in the last 10 games, ten originated from crosses and four from set-pieces. Against Sweden, both of Serbia’s opening goals, scored by Milinkovic-Savic and Mitrovic, perfectly illustrated this strategy.
Sweden’s coach, Jon Dahl Tomasson, acknowledged Serbia’s clear strength: “We conceded from crosses. Before the game, we spoke about this as a team. We said, ‘What is Serbia’s quality?’. It is crossing. We knew this.”
Despite limited possession against Sweden (37%), Serbia attempted only five crosses, but an impressive 80% of them found a teammate. Serbia’s first goal against Sweden originated from a move where Sasa Lukic sought out Andrija Zivkovic, the right wing-back. Like Filip Mladenovic on the opposite flank, Zivkovic is encouraged to push forward and provide width. As Lukic passed, Mitrovic, Vlahovic, and Milinkovic-Savic positioned themselves in the box.
Sasa Lukic passes to Andrija Zivkovic to initiate the attack for Serbia's first goal against Sweden
Zivkovic, naturally left-footed, cut back and delivered a curling, inswinging cross towards the back post, where the arriving Milinkovic-Savic finished decisively.
Sergej Milinkovic-Savic scores from Andrija Zivkovic's inswinging cross at the back post for Serbia
The effectiveness of Serbia’s aerial game depends on consistent and accurate crosses, and in Zivkovic, Mladenovic, and particularly Dusan Tadic, they possess the necessary delivery. Given England’s defensive concerns, especially with Luke Shaw’s fitness and Harry Maguire’s absence, Serbia might see England as susceptible to this aerial bombardment.
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Lethal Strikers: Clinical Finishing of Mitrovic and Vlahovic
Serbia’s crossing threat is amplified by their exceptionally clinical strike partnership. Aleksandar Mitrovic, Serbia’s captain and all-time top scorer with 58 goals in 91 international appearances, alongside Juventus forward Dusan Vlahovic, who has 13 goals in 27 caps, form a formidable duo.
While both are accustomed to leading the line as single strikers for their clubs, they are developing a strong partnership for Serbia. Against Sweden, despite having only eight shots compared to Sweden’s 20, Serbia were more clinical. Five of Serbia’s shots were on target, and Opta classified five as ‘big chances.’
Serbia’s second goal against Sweden showcased the link-up play between Mitrovic and Vlahovic. Mitrovic received the ball near the halfway line, moved centrally, and passed to Vlahovic.
Aleksandar Mitrovic initiates the attack by passing to Dusan Vlahovic in the build-up to Serbia's second goal
Vlahovic held off a defender and spread the play to Mladenovic on the left flank. Mitrovic then advanced into the space created by Vlahovic’s movement.
Dusan Vlahovic holds off a defender and passes to Filip Mladenovic while Mitrovic moves into a dangerous position
Mladenovic delivered a precise low cross from the left, which Mitrovic dispatched with ruthless efficiency.
Aleksandar Mitrovic scores Serbia's second goal with a clinical finish from Filip Mladenovic's low cross
England’s defense is arguably their most vulnerable area. If England’s defenders make errors, Mitrovic and Vlahovic have the quality to capitalize, even if Serbia creates limited opportunities.
Defensive Liabilities: Exploitable Weaknesses for England
Fortunately for Gareth Southgate and England, Serbia also exhibit defensive vulnerabilities. Stojkovic’s team is expected to concede possession to England, similar to their approach against Sweden, and will likely defend in a deep block without intense pressing.
Serbia typically defends in a 5-3-2 formation, with the defensive line, midfield, and forwards operating as cohesive units. However, Serbia sometimes sends a defender out of the defensive line to press, as Mladenovic did in the example below.
Serbia's 5-3-2 defensive formation and pressing strategy out of possession
When Serbia’s defensive line becomes disjointed, they become susceptible to exploitation. While centre-backs Strahinja Pavlovic, Nikola Milenkovic, and Nemanja Stojic are solid individually, they can struggle when pulled wide. Pavlovic and Stojic, the left and right centre-backs, lack pace, and if the wing-backs are high up the pitch, significant space opens up behind them.
Against Sweden, Dejan Kulusevski received the ball in midfield, and Pavlovic pressed him, resulting in a foul. However, had Kulusevski successfully released the pass, Sweden would have had considerable space to attack behind Serbia’s defensive line.
Strahinja Pavlovic commits a foul while pressing Dejan Kulusevski, highlighting defensive vulnerability
Alexander Isak’s introduction in the second half further destabilized Serbia’s defense. Their centre-backs struggled with Isak’s intelligent movement, being drawn out of position and creating gaps.
Strahinja Pavlovic is caught out of position by Alexander Isak's movement, exposing defensive gaps
England’s attacking talents, including Harry Kane, Phil Foden, and Bukayo Saka, will be confident of exploiting Serbia’s defensive weaknesses, just as Serbia’s forwards will aim to trouble England’s backline.
Conclusion: Serbia – A Tricky Test for England
Serbia, while not a complete team and unlikely to be Euro 2024 contenders, present a challenging opening fixture for England. Their straightforward, direct game plan, built on aerial dominance and clinical finishing, is tailored to exploit potential vulnerabilities in Southgate’s England side. England must be wary of Serbia’s clear strengths while aiming to expose their defensive frailties to secure a positive start to their Euro 2024 campaign.
(Top photo: Linnea Rheborg/Getty Images)
