Match Overview
The World Cup qualifier match between Serbia and England ended in a disappointing 0-5 defeat for the Serbian side. England showcased their attacking prowess, while Serbia struggled to find rhythm throughout the game. This article provides a comprehensive ratings breakdown for the players from both teams, reflecting their performances on a challenging night.
Serbia (5-4-1) Player Ratings
Djordje Petrovic (GK) – 3
Petrovic had a tough outing in goal. While he wasn’t solely responsible for Serbia’s defeat, his lack of confidence was evident, especially on England’s third goal when he failed to make a crucial save. Needs to improve his communication and positioning.
Kosta Nedeljkovic (RB) – 3
Nedeljkovic faced a challenging task against England’s relentless attack. His struggles were prominent, leading to his substitution at halftime. The decision to withdraw him was justified, given that he could not contain England’s offensive threats, particularly on the right flank.
Strahinja Pavlovic (CB) – 4
Pavlovic showed some defensive resilience but was often left exposed due to the midfield’s lack of support. His performance was underwhelming, as he was unable to effectively lead the backline against a potent England attack.
Nemanja Bjelica (CB) – 4
Bjelica tried to organize the defense but frequently found himself outpaced and outmaneuvered. His ability to read the game was lacking, and he struggled to make impactful contributions, especially during set pieces.
Stefan Mitrovic (CB) – 4
Mitrovic had a mixed performance. While he made some important interceptions, he was far too passive in challenging England’s forwards, which resulted in several dangerous situations. His physical presence was not enough to compensate for tactical lapses.
Filip Mladenovic (LB) – 4
Mladenovic was caught out of position multiple times, failing to provide adequate cover down the left flank. His offensive contributions were minimal, leaving Serbia’s attack imbalanced and predictable.
Maximilian Stojkovic (CM) – 4
Stojkovic struggled to influence the game from the midfield. He was frequently outmatched and failed to provide the necessary support to the defense. His lack of creativity left Serbia’s attackers isolated.
Nemanja Gudelj (CM) – 5
Gudelj had a slightly better game than his teammates, managing to retain possession at times and trying to initiate play. However, his efforts were ultimately overshadowed by England’s dominance.
Filip Kostić (RM) – 4
Kostić was ineffective throughout the match, contributing little to both defense and attack. His inability to create chances significantly hampered Serbia’s efforts to mount any form of response against England.
Dusan Tadic (LM) – 5
Tadic showed glimpses of quality and attempted to be a creative outlet for Serbia. However, the lack of support from teammates limited his effectiveness. He was often forced to take on defenders alone.
Alexandar Mitrovic (CF) – 5
Mitrovic had very little service and was largely isolated in the attacking third. While he fought hard and tried to make runs, he was unable to convert those into meaningful opportunities.
Conclusion
Overall, this match highlighted significant gaps in Serbia’s tactical execution and player performances. A comprehensive review and potential changes are necessary if they aim to improve in future qualifiers.
