England will kick off their Euro 2024 campaign against Serbia in their opening Group C match. Serbia, ranked 33rd in the world, managed to qualify for the tournament as runners-up to Hungary in their group. They have several key players who could pose a threat to England’s chances of success.
One player to watch is Vanja Milinkovic-Savic, an experienced goalkeeper who has played for clubs in Serbia, Poland, Italy, and Belgium. Despite being signed by Manchester United at the age of 17, he left the club due to work permit issues. Milinkovic-Savic is expected to start against England, although some Serbia fans prefer Chelsea’s Djordje Petrovic. He played a significant role in Torino’s ninth-place finish in Serie A in the previous season.
Nikola Milenkovic, a right-sided centre-back, will be representing his country at his third major tournament. He played alongside former Premier League players Nemanja Matic and Branislav Ivanovic at the 2018 World Cup and also featured in Qatar four years later. Serbia will rely on Milenkovic’s experience, as he has spent seven years playing for Fiorentina in Serie A.
Dusan Tadic is another key player for Serbia. He played a vital role in helping Southampton defeat Inter Milan in the Europa League eight years ago. At 35 years old, Tadic continues to be Serbia’s main man and is expected to captain the team against England. He contributed a couple of goals during the qualifying campaign and recently became Serbia’s most-capped player, surpassing Branislav Ivanovic. Tadic currently plays for Fenerbahce in Turkey.
Lazar Samardzic is a young talent to keep an eye on. Although he may not be a regular starter, the 22-year-old attacking midfielder or winger has the potential to make an impact. Born in Berlin, Samardzic represented Germany at various youth levels before deciding to play for Serbia. He is seen as a future successor to Dusan Tadic and currently plays for Udinese in Italy.
Aleksandar Mitrovic, who has played in the Premier League for Fulham and Newcastle United, will be looking to make an impact against England. The 29-year-old striker, now playing in the Saudi Pro League, scored five goals during the qualifying campaign, making him Serbia’s top scorer. Mitrovic has an impressive international record of 58 goals in 91 appearances for his country. Known for his fighting spirit, his teammates will be relying on him to lead the attack.
Overall, Serbia has a mix of experienced players and promising talents who could pose a challenge to England in their opening Euro 2024 match. The team will be hoping to make a statement and upset Gareth Southgate’s side on the big stage.