Serbia arrives in Russia rife with both experience and fragments of the 2015 Under-20 World Cup-winning side. Manager Mladen Krstajic leads The Eagles into group play without ever having bossed a competitive match for club or country after Slavoljub Muslin was sacked under conspicuous circumstances.
Perhaps beginner's luck will bless the 59-cap, 44-year-old defender-turned-gaffer when Serbia faces Costa Rica in the Group E opener, though if Krstajic is looking to depend on something more concrete, he could do worse than rely on a veteran backline pining for an international swansong on football's biggest stage.
While Brazil will likely take top spot, it's all to play for in the group with Serbia, Costa Rica, and Switzerland fighting for bridesmaid's honours.
Group schedule
| Date | Opponent | Time |
|---|---|---|
| June 17 | Costa Rica | 8:00 a.m. ET |
| June 22 | Switzerland | 2:00 p.m. ET |
| June 27 | Brazil | 2:00 p.m. ET |
Projected starting XI
With 246 caps between Aleksandar Kolarov, Dusko Tosic, Branislav Ivanovic and Antonio Rukavina, Krstajic, himself part of Serbia's "Famous Four" that conceded just once during 2006 World Cup qualifiers, will feel like he has a dependable backline with two solid defensive midfielders in support. Filip Kostic is likely to get the nod ahead of Torino's Adem Ljajic with Southampton playmaker Dusan Tadic on the other wing. Fulham's renaissance man Aleksandar Mitrovic is a certainty to start over green strike pairing Aleksandar Prijovic (nine caps) and Luka Jovic (0 caps). The only players in this starting XI shorter than 6 foot are the two wingers.
Related: Full squad lists for each nation
Key player: Sergej Milinkovic-Savic
Equitably one of the best players in Serie A this season, Lazio attacking midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic has drawn comparisons to Paul Pogba if the France star was built like a river barge. Technically gifted on the ball with a soft touch and obscenely tricky feet, Milinkovic-Savic, 23, will be the key to Serbia's attack, something Muslin failed to recognise before his sacking in October. Krstajic and Co. will hope Milinkovic-Savic, Kostic, and Tadic can acclimate quickly.
Breakout star: Nikola Milenkovic
Tosic had a solid campaign with Besiktas that likely cemented his central-defensive spot alongside Ivanovic, but if The Eagles are looking for some fresh meat, Nikola Milenkovic has the chops. Milenkovic, 20, enjoyed a respectable first season with Fiorentina; especially during the second half of the campaign, with all but one of his league performances coming before the new year. Another beanpole in Krstajic's squad, Milenkovic is an aerial duel savant, and while there are no guarantees he plays in Russia, Matija Nastasic's ACL injury has opened the door for a breakthrough from the angular defender.
(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)
