Serbia National Football Team VS England National Football Team Lineups: “Football has always remained pride, passion, and patriotism-inspiring game, and when teams of two nations come up against each other on the world stage, it gets watched by the world.” One such very promising encounter in football is going to be between Serbia national football team and national football team, England. Both are filled with an enriching history of the game, whereby each has devout followings and talented pools that make their matches a thrill to watch. The subsequent article seeks to give insight into both the Serbia and England national team lineups in light of recent trends, tactical formations, and individual performances.
History of the Game: Serbia vs. England
Some background is worth noting first about the two teams: Serbia is a tougher team, more known for its defensive organization and more physical way of playing soccer. Rich in football heritage, the English won the FIFA World Cup in 1966 and, in general, brought to life world-class footballers. Quite vice versa, more often than not, these two countries represent quite opposite styles where the tight Serbian defense keen on counterattack style opposes traditional free and high-speed English attacking penned football style.
Serbia National Football Team Possible Starting Lineup
Throughout football history, Serbia has developed a great amount of talented footballers. Here is what might become Serbia’s starting XI should they play an important match against the English.
Goalkeeper
Marko Dmitrović
One of the most consistent and reliable Serbian goalkeepers, an out-and-out shotstopper who has complete command in the penalty box. His experience at club level, having been a regular all season, makes him the likeliest choice between the posts. His form in La Liga with Sevilla means he has earned the right to retain his place in the national team.
Defense
Nikola Milenkovic (Right Back)
Standing at 6’5″, Milenković is an imposing full-back who, throughout the season, has shown he can play centre-back and right-back with such physique, aerial presence, and ability on the ball to be an integral figure in Serbia’s backline.
Stefan Mitrovic (Center Back)
His experience and leadership have been very instrumental in the last couple of years as the cornerstone of Serbian defense, to stabilize the rear guard. He does not joke with his defensive responsibilities; through him, the team is always guaranteed a solid foundation in defense.
Strahinja Pavlović (Central Defence)
The dynamic and fast defender is a rising young star in Serbian football. Fast and a good tackler, he should be good enough to complement the skill set of Mitrović in making a balanced central defensive pairing.
Filip Kostić
Left back
While naturally a winger, in the Serbian system he fits into a redefined role in an attempt to fit more attack power wide down the left-hand side. He is an outstanding speedster who has sublime crossing ability, especially in counter movements.
Midfield
Nemanja Gudelj, Defensive Midfielder
He is the real anchor in midfield, with Gudelj just covering that backline for defense, acting as some kind of shield. His range of passing allows him to marshal the tempo deep from play-something that makes him very important in this setup of Serbia.
Sergej Milinkovic Savic
Central Midfielder
The creative power of Milinković-Savić is in Serbia, who possesses probably one of the best visions, great at dribbling, and dangerous from long-range efforts. He is one of the most dangerous midfielders in Europe. He plays in Serie A for Lazio, and on many occasions, he showed what he is capable of when the pressure is on.
Dusan Tadic (attacking midfielder/playmaker)
Tadić captains the team and is the heartbeat of this Serbia side’s attack. He drops between the lines and, with always inch-perfect passes, contributes with important goals to become the creative focal point in attack for Serbia.
Attack
Aleksandar Mitrovic
Predominantly a physical striker, he is a prolific goal-scorer, good in the air, holds up the ball very well. He is also one of the all-time leading scorers for Serbia. His presence inside the box is always a menace, particularly from set pieces and crosses.
Vlahović is one of the brightest young stars in European football these days. Pacey, strong, and a clinical finisher, he is the perfect partner to Mitrović in Serbia’s attack. The duo can easily cause problems for any kind of defense.
Andrija Živković
Right Winger
Živković gives the Serbian attack pace and flair. Being an important piece of the Serbian team setup going forward in most counterattacking situations, Živković is capable of taking on defenders and putting in dangerous crosses.
As far as football capabilities go, England is a land of plenty. A mix of youthful exuberance with the experience of the campaigners makes Three Lions one of the most balanced-looking squads present in international football. Given below is the way England might shape up against Serbia.
1. Goalkeeper
Jordan Pickford
Pickford has been Gareth Southgate’s first choice in goal for a number of years, being very good at distributing the ball and making reflex saves. He is generally sound between the posts and brings experience from levels of high pressure such as those seen in major international tournaments like the UEFA Euros and World Cup.
DEFENSE
Kyle Walker Right Back
Walker is synonymous more or less with speed and defense. His great running capacity helps him to attack while defending and vice-versa.
John Stones
Centre-Back
Stones has been one of the most consistent defenders over the last couple of years of European Football. He is great on the ball but also a huge defender who has built the backbone of defense in England.
Harry Maguire
Centre-Back
Leaving aside criticism about playing at club level, Maguire still cuts a trusting figure for the national team. Headed goals aside, there is an immense figure that he cuts in the defensive scheme of Southgate, especially on set-pieces.
Shaw has found a new level of form for club and country. An important part of England’s team because of his defensive side, he gives width and is an attacking threat down the left-hand side. His link-up with the England attackers often led to goalscoring opportunities.
Midfield
Declan Rice (Defensive Midfielder)
He is one of the finest anchoring midfielders across Europe. Rice is key in the quick turnover of possession, and thus, he holds the key to transition from defense to attack, and vice-versa. He is a cornerstone in the England midfield set-up.
Jude Bellingham
Central Midfielder
He is still only young, but he looks to have matured beyond his years. Arguably, on box-to-box ability, energy levels, and vision, he is one of the most exciting talents in the world right now. He is a defensive cover from midfield as much as he has been an attacking support from midfield.
Mason Mount
Attacking Midfielder
Mount definitely fits into that bracket with his array of invention and tireless amounts of energy in the middle for England. His work rate, passing ability, and goals through midfield have made it impossible for him not to become an intrinsic part of the Southgate setup.
Attack
Raheem Sterling
Left Winger
Sterling brings a lot of pace to this England team and is likely to go beyond most defenders through dribbling down the left-hand side; he has really become important in the manner he can cut in to find his way to the net now for England.
He is now the captain of the English squad and is analyzed to be one of the most deadliest goal-scorers around the globe. He drops deep, links plays, and then finishes from anywhere — truly the most vital cog in this attack.
Bukayo Saka (Right Winger)
Talented and adaptable, Saka has shone at club and international levels. Being a player well capable of beating defenders one-on-one, he can put in the cross in the box and chip in with the odd goal from the wing-he plays right across the front line.
The real tactical battles, however, are what will set the winner of this overarching game between Serbia and England apart. The high intensity of England on the press is always insisting on an attack into compact defensive shape in Serbia, relying on quick transitions for attacking impetus. Central defenders Pavlović and Milenković face arguably their sternest test yet with Harry Kane’s movement and finishing ability.
That said, Declan Rice and Nemanja Gudelj are expected to lock horns in the park with either of them marshaling opposition play before aggrieving to marshal that attack for their respective sides. Serbia, with the pace and build of Mitrović and Vlahović, will look to tap into England’s high line, while the latter hopes for dominance possession-wise in the game. Further, it hopes to look for creative players like Mount and Bellingham, who will seek to unlock Serbia’s back door.
Conclusion
They give us an interesting encounter: the two different faiths of football that come into the foray—a Serbia that’s very strong in defensive organization—rapid counterattacks, which promise a tough nut to crack for England—but the attack-force is there; all the firepower and midfield imagination are theirs, giving them the edge as far as technical quality is concerned. With both sides boasting a lineup that is world-class, the match-up between the two nations had to assure something special-some scenes of international football at its brilliant best.
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