23 for 2010 – Serbia: World Cup squad analysis
25 May, 2010 Ivan Radasinovic Internationals, Latest, World Cup
23 for 2010 – Serbia: World Cup squad analysis
After the final whistle blew in Belgrade to confirm our place in South Africa, the whole of the “Marakana” erupted and the celebrations began both on the pitch and in the stands. This was nothing short of what the Serbian team deserved. To finish top of a group that contained the strong favourites France and a Romanian team who had been tipped for the play-off place is a feat in itself. Another is to have only conceded 8 goals during the campaign – showing how solid the defence has been and that it was an integral part to our success.
Being drawn with Germany, Ghana and Australia in Group D for the World Cup, I strongly feel that this sturdy defence needs to replicate the form and performances shown during qualifiers. Now, I believe that we have a good chance of progressing far in the World Cup but I shall be reserved at the moment.
We would not like a repeat of the 2006 World Cup where we had an excellent qualifying campaign with our defence being heavily praised and that team being tipped to be the dark horses at the World Cup – all of which was to crumble when push came to shove and Serbia and Montenegro finishing 32nd in the World Cup.
However, I think that we have a better team in all aspects in comparison to 2006 and I feel that this squad is a young one and the majority of players will continue to the 2014 World Cup if we qualify. I also think that since there are survivors of the horrendous performance of 06’ they will be determined to not allow a repeat of what happened. I will give an insight to the 23 man squad, along with a few others I would have taken to the World Cup if I were the manager.
Goalkeepers
Vladimir Stojković
Željko Brkić
I personally feel that the goalkeeping area is the weakest area of the team. Stojković has had his problems both on the pitch and off the pitch (sacked by Red Star Belgrade in 2002 for behavioural and disciplinary problems) in the past and I feel that this has ultimately been a hindrance to him.
Over the past couple of seasons, he hasn’t been getting the playing time that he needs to at Sporting but he has played in nearly all of the qualifiers and has performed really well for the national side – he is a very good shot stopper with a good command of his area.
In Željko Brkić we have a talented young keeper that will most likely be back up to Stojkovic and he has already had a taste of national team football at senior level being capped twice in our last two friendlies – against Algeria and Japan where he managed to keep a clean sheet in both matches. I am sure he will be more than capable to fill in for Stojkovic if he is needed. Furthermore, I have only picked two keepers as I feel that we do not need an extra goalkeeper and we could use that extra man in a different area of the team.
Chosen: Vladimir Stojkovic (Wigan), Zeljko Brkic (Vojvodina Novi Sad), Bojan Isailovic (Cukaricki Belgrade), Andjelko Djuricic (Leiria).
Defenders
Ivica Dragutinović * Injured his Achilles and will not make it to South Africa
Antonio Rukavina
Branislav Ivanović
Nemanja Vidić
Neven Subotić
Aleksandar Kolarov
Jagoš Vuković
This is the area that I feel is very strong and where we also have strength in depth. Firstly, Nemanja Vidic must be the first name on the team sheet for the Serbia team and this is because he is the best centre back in the world. Despite being injured for part of the season at Manchester United he has still had a very good season for them and has put in some superb performances for the Red Devils (Exhibit A: Manchester Derby last Saturday and Exhibit B: Performance vs Bolton which led to Ferguson hailing that performance as “ The best centre back performance in the world).
These performances have been matched in Serbian colours and he has been vital at the back for us during the qualifiers. He is one of the members who were at the 2006 World Cup in Germany and I think he will do anything for there not to be a repeat of that in South Africa.
There are two options as to who will partner Vidic at centre back. First of all, Aleksandar Luković who has had a solid season at Udinese and has put in very good performances for Serbia in friendlies and the qualifiers. Lukovic can also play at left back if he is needed there. The other centre back option (and the more likely one) is young 21 year old Neven Subotić who plays his trade in Germany for Borrusia Dortmund.
Not to fooled by his young age, Neven has been a starter at the back for Dortmund these past two seasons and his performances have attracted the interest of some of Europe’s bigger clubs. He is of a similar mould to Vidic: strong, tall, strong in the air and mentally tough all of which lead me to believe that he will have no problem starting for Serbia on the biggest stage of them all. He compliments Vidic very well. Jagoš Vuković is a good shout as a replacement for the injured Ivica Dragutinović as Vukovic can be a back up centre back and Lukovic can either start at left back or become a back up.
At right back we have Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanović. After earning cult hero status with his two goals at Anfield last season Ivanovic has excelled this year and become a regular – not at his favoured centre back position, but at right back. With Bosingwa out injured this gave Ivanovic the perfect chance to show his abilities and he has taken the opportunity with both hands. Ivanovic defined consistency at Chelsea this season and was easily one of the best performers.
For Serbia, he has been instrumental, containing any threat to come his way (including Thierry Henry), uncovering his goal scoring potential in the process by scoring 3 goals making him 2nd top scorer for Serbia during the qualifiers. He loves to bomb forward and whip in crosses and can definitely fulfill his defensive duties when needed.
Just in case he picks up a knock Antonio Rukavina is there to deputise. Finally, at left back Aleksandar Kolarov. He has been labeled the next Sinisa Mihajlovic and he hasn’t disappointed as he posses many of the same characteristics – powerful shot, set piece specialist and a fast full back who loves to bomb forward and take on the opposite man, he is a typical left back and one of a dying breed – and I always enjoy watching him play. All of these qualities also enable him to be a good left sided midfielder; he can be used there if any injuries occur. With Ivanovic on the other flank I believe that the full backs could be a very useful offensive weapon for us.
Chosen: Branislav Ivanovic (Chelsea), Antonio Rukavina (Munich 1860), Nemanja Vidic (Manchester United), Neven Subotic (Borussia Dortmund), Aleksandar Lukovic (Udinese), Ivan Obradovic (Saragossa), Aleksandar Kolarov (Lazio).
Midfielders
Dejan Stanković (Captain)
Zdravko Kuzmanović
Gojko Kačar
Miloš Krasić
Nenad Milijaš
Zoran Tošić
Milan Jovanović
Ivan Obradović
Firstly I feel most confident in this area of our squad if injuries were to occur as we have strength in depth and enough quality within our midfield to pose a threat to any top team. In the midfield we have veteran Dejan Stanković who is the captain for the “White Eagles”. Another member that was at the 2006 World Cup, he will do everything in his power for the campaign in South Africa not to be a repeat of Germany 4 years ago. A central midfielder who can both play an attacking role or defensive role (which he has been playing this season at Inter) and this will be very useful in the centre of the park.
He will most likely be partnered with Zdravko Kuzmanović. Having moved in the summer to Stuttgart from Fiorentina, Kuzmanovic hadn’t played many games for the German outfit at the start of the season. However, he made the most of his chances and scored important goals for the club (for instance, a 30 yard effort in Seville to help Stuttgart beat Sevilla) and has become a regular now. I feel that Kuzmanovic would be best suited as a holding midfielder, whilst Stankovic plays a more attacking role. In addition, Kuzmanovic can support the team when the attack is on and defend when needed – essentially playing a box-to-box role – and I feel this is where Kuzmanovic excels.
However, I believe that another player merits the central midfield role more than Kuzmanovic and that player is: Gojko Kačar. An incredibly determined, hard working player who has been the heart of the midfield for Hertha Berlin this season and also has a natural instinct in front of goal despite being a midfielder (scored 5 goals in an 8-0 demolishing of Hungary U21s last year). He is also very versatile, can play any type of central midfield role and is adept enough to play at centre back if needed.
His performances in the Bundesliga for Hertha have made people sit up and take notice, with the Serbian papers confirming interest from Juventus and AC Milan, and I truly feel that he should be given a chance to start on the grandest stage of all. In case of any injuries occurring, Nenad Milijaš is there as back up. In my opinion, as he has not been playing enough at Wolves he doesn’t merit a place in the starting 11.
On the wings we have the pair of Milos Krasić and Milan Jovanović. Firstly, on the right wing we have Milos Krasic, who I believe has excelled and been in top form at the perfect time. He possesses pace, an eye for the goal, a desire to take the man on and he has a very good delivery into the area that could pose a threat. Combined with Branislav Ivanovic, I feel they could be a deadly combination on the right flank.
The Russian League has recently got underway and Krasic has already notched a few goals to his name, but it will be his Champions League performances this season that would have drawn the attention of the footballing world, with rumours being made about a possible move to a bigger European club. Who knows, with a good World Cup I believe that many of Europe’s top clubs will be chasing the signature of the young winger.
On the left wing, we have Milan Jovanovic. Speed, determination, flair are just some of the words that describe Milan Jovanovic and like Krasic he loves to use his pace to take men on and cut inside to have an attempt on goal. It will be really interesting to see how he is used as he can be used as an inside forward to provide support for the attackers. He is a deadly finisher, was top scorer in the qualifiers and has also been awarded the Golden Shoe in the Belgian League.
Zoran Tošić will provide good enough back up, should an injury occur and can also be deployed in the Theo Walcott role where he is played with 30/20 minutes left and he can use his pace and fresh legs to get in behind the weary defence and score or create goals.
Milos Ninković is an attacking midfielder having a solid season at Dynamo Kyiv and a regular in the squads for the qualifying games
Chosen: Dejan Stankovic (Inter Milan), Nenad Milijas (Wolverhampton), Milos Krasic (CSKA Moscow), Milan Jovanovic (Standard Liege), Milos Ninkovic (Dynamo Kiev), Zdravko Kuzmanovic (Stuttgart), Zoran Tosic (Cologne), Gojko Kacar (Hertha Berlin), Radosav Petrovic (Partizan Belgrade).
Strikers
Marko Pantelić
Danko Lazović
Dejan Lekić
Nikola Zigić
Up front we have an interesting combination. First of all, we have the experienced Marko Pantelić. The Ajax striker has been very impressive this season, scoring 17 goals in all competitions for the Amsterdam outfit and I firmly believe that he can continue this form to South Africa. He is strong, fast and agile which is what is required as a striker in our system and the way we play. Danko Lazović is pretty much a younger version of Pantelic; they compliment each other well and I feel would be the best partnership out of the strikers available.
However, if Lazovic and Pantelic were to start together they have one weakness: aerial ability. This is where Nikola Zigić comes in. The 6ft 8” (2.02 m) striker can start with either Pantelic or Lazovic and offer an aerial advantage if it is needed and can hold the ball up to provide for his strike partner.
Dragan Mrđa scored twice in the 3-0 win over Japan at the beginning of April, a message to Antic that he is the real deal and is ready to play in the World Cup.
Chosen: Nikola Zigic (Valencia), Marko Pantelic (Ajax), Danko Lazovic (Zenith), Dragan Mrdja (Vojvodina).
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