Serbian boss insists draw against ‘British-style’ Ireland side would be unacceptable
A new-look Serbia side playing at home under a new manager have warned that a draw against an Irish team playing “British-style football” tomorrow will not be good enough.
Revered as a hero in his native land, Dragan Stojkovic takes charge of Serbia for the first time tomorrow against Stephen Kenny’s outfit, behind closed doors, aiming to lift morale for a nation still floored by a Euro 2020 play-off loss to Scotland.
Serbia were held to a draw by Ireland in Belgrade in 2016 during qualifiers for the 2018 World Cup and a repeat tomorrow would not be acceptable to the Balkan side, Stojkovic’s men looking for a win to boost morale ahead of their second game, a vital home date with Portugal on Saturday.
“I would not be satisfied with a draw against the Ireland. Against Portugal? Well, they are the European champions, so a draw could be a good result if we beat Ireland first. Anyway, that’s all just maths, we have to go for a win against everyone we play,” says their Italian-based midfielder Filip Djuričić, one of six Serie A players in the Serbian squad.
“Individual quality can give you an advantage, it’s always an advantage. We have players in serious leagues, but the overall team play is the most important, that brings long-term results.”
The Sassuolo player is uncertain of his place in the side tomorrow but Strasbourg defender Stefan Mitrovic is due to line out in central defence. He has experience of playing against Ireland, coming on as a sub when Aleksandar Kolarov scored the only goal of the game in a World Cup qualifier in Dublin in 2017.
Despite attempts by Stephen Kenny to introduce a new way of playing with the Republic, Mitrovic says he expects “an island style” from Ireland: in Serbian, “island football” means British football.
“In terms of points from the three games, we are aiming to win all nine points,” Mitrovic said.
“The Irish will force that island style, the biggest danger to us is on the break. If at our best, our quality will come to the fore. We know their quality, we will prepare the match as best we can.
“I expect new energy from our team. I think the coach is a man who instils the trust of all of us in the national team. I expect him to impose his authority and qualify for the World Cup,” he added.
Local media expect Stojkovic to deploy a 3-4-3 formation, with a front three of Dusan Tadic (Ajax), Dusan Vlahovic (Fiorentina) and Sergej Milinković-Savić (Lazio).
Online Editors
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