England kick off Euro 2024 against Serbia at Veltins-Arena in Gelsenkirchen. One of England’s favorite teams to win it all, England faces a stiff test from Serbia at this opening game of their tournament.
Gareth Southgate made four changes to his side on Saturday: Luke Shaw was left out as he worked to build match fitness, while Bukayo Saka and Cole Palmer came in for Mainoo and Bowen respectively. In this article, we will discuss the main points of Serbia National Football Team vs England National Football Team Lineups.
England National Football Team
Gareth Southgate will hope that his side can shake off their recent major tournament disappointment and start the World Cup off right by defeating Serbia on Sunday, though Dragan Stojkovic’s side are sure to present a tough test.
England will attempt to use their attacking style against Serbia, who may opt to sit deep and try hitting teams from the counterattack – making it hard for England to retain possession and dictate play.
Kieran Trippier will start on the right side of defence for Manchester United against Gelsenkirchen due to Luke Shaw needing more time to build match fitness, with Eberechi Eze and Anthony Gordon pushing hard for starts as well. Cole Palmer may also come into play along with Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden to provide additional options while Sterling and Kane should be allowed free reign to run at tired Serbian defenders.
Pickford
Serbia are pressing more, looking for the win. Southgate may opt to switch out Saka for Bowen as an energy and ball retention player can give Serbia more chances.
Milinkovic-Savic sends Mladenovic in with an inviting pass, but the onrushing striker only manages to drag his shot wide. Foden attempts to jink through but is blocked before Trippier blocks the Serbian corner that follows.
England are now focused on defense. Southgate can choose to start John Stones at centre-back alongside tournament debutant Marc Guehi or Kieran Trippier at left back, in place of Luke Shaw who returns after injury, alongside Kieran Trippier at left back, Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka and Phil Foden, Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane in front of him for the first time this tournament. Serbia are led by Aleksandar Mitrovic while Juventus pair Dusan Tadic and Dusan Vlahovic will attempt to test an inexperienced England defence while Fulham’s Sasa Lukic as well as Lazio powerhouse Sergej Milinkovic-Savic offer midfield depth as former Manchester United striker Nemanja Maksimovic remains injury doubt.
Trippier
Kieran Trippier begins at left-back with Luke Shaw sitting out as he builds match fitness, leaving Trent Alexander-Arnold in midfield alongside Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham – an unpredictable decision but necessary for Southgate if England are to be dangerous in the final third.
Serbian attacker Zivkovic causes havoc again on the right wing, prompting Bellingham to win another free-kick by taking him down. Arsenal attacker Gabriel’s delivery was exquisite – Kane rose quickly to head the ball home!
England fans are making Veltins Arena buzz with support, yet England have lost momentum as they struggle to maintain possession in dangerous zones. Another free kick from Serbia sees Trippier fail to connect properly with his cross, leading it out for goal kick. Bowen has come on as an energetic replacement for Saka, although I would have liked him instead as a replacement for Palmer.
Stones
England are well on their way to taking an early lead with Jude Bellingham’s header putting them ahead at halftime. Rice, Guehi and Alexander-Arnold all look assured while Foden showed glimpses of his talent during an otherwise disciplined first 45 minutes from England.
Serbia are currently trapped within their own half and struggling to create much. A long ball from Walker finds an overlapping Saka, who makes the pass which was deflected into an opening goal by Walker himself.
Serbia boasts several talented players who could pose a threat to an inexperienced England defense, including Dusan Vlahovic and former Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic – former Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic could prove particularly prominent – along with Sergej Milinkovic-Savic as an attack threat in midfield alongside goal scorer Filip Kostic (former Lazio midfielder and fellow goal-scorer from Lazio midfield). Dragan Stojkovic’s side also possess strong aerial threats – hopefully scoring some goals against England!
Guehi
England’s midfield is an area of weakness, so bringing Mainoo Guehi from Crystal Palace’s ranks, who made his debut against Serbia with a 1-0 win, would provide an instantaneous boost. He will add some industry to keep opponents at bay and help to link with Kyle Walker and Declan Rice more easily.
Talented player Kieran Trippier will be essential for Gareth Southgate’s Eagles side as they look to break out of this group stage for the first time since 2006. A regular in the Eagles starting XI this season, Kieran will look to build on his strong debut performance against Serbia against which John Stones returned from sickness and ankle issues to be fit for this match against Serbia backed up by Kieran Trippier who can limit Dusan Tadic’s threat in defense.
Bellingham
England will look to avoid repeating their Euro 2016 defeat against Iceland by winning in Gelsenkirchen this time around.
Kieran Trippier and his backline will be put through rigorous tests by Serbia, led by Dusan Vlahovic and Aleksandr Mitrovic. But Gareth Southgate has provided his Three Lions with strong training under which Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden, Eberechi Eze can pose a significant threat up front.
Walker and Stones collide, giving Serbs possession in a dangerous area but failing to capitalise. A brilliant sliding tackle from Guehi dispossessed Vlahovic and allowed Alexander-Arnold to pass out wide to Foden; unfortunately though his effort dragged wide.
Saka
Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino uses his close control and dribbling ability to carve out space for himself down the right side, where he can play crosses or chipped balls into the back post. His targets areas where he can most be dangerous – creating havoc among opposing defences.
Guehi made an outstanding sliding tackle to dislodge Vlahovic as England counterattacked and Foden sent in a ball for Bellingham to power home an early header and put their side ahead in Veltins-Arena – making an important step towards qualifying for Euro 2024 quarter-final berth for their side! England supporters in Veltins-Arena celebrated as they witnessed this crucial win that sent shivers down spines!
Southgate makes an unexpected switch, switching out Saka for Conor Gallagher. Personally, I would have gone with Palmer who offers more control in central areas but Southgate wants energy and Gallagher has plenty to give. Jovic and Tadic combine well but the Serbian forward can’t convert his chance.
Foden
The Three Lions appear to be controlling possession, yet should remain vigilant! Gudelj was issued a yellow card for his challenge on Jude Bellingham and should continue to remain on guard!
Southgate may need to be more aggressive against Serbia, who possess the capability of punishing an England defense that lacks solidity. Kieran Trippier could prove instrumental in protecting England’s back four while Conor Gallagher can offer industry against Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Dusan Tadic who threaten in midfield.
Eberechi Eze must be given an opportunity to run at tired defenders in this match, while Anthony Gordon can play a deeper role alongside Declan Rice and Kyle Walker to nullify Serbia’s attack. Bukayo Saka and Cole Palmer may also be brought on as reinforcements to boost scoring capabilities – click here to follow live!
Alexander-Arnold
England have taken the lead after dominating their first-half in Gelsenkirchen through a brilliant header from Everton centre-back Kieran Trippier’s outstanding left-back performance, alongside providing necessary defensive nous to limit Serbia dangerman Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and cover for Kyle Walker in midfielders Dusan Tadic and Aleksandar Mitrovic respectively. Conor Gallagher provides industry in midfield while covering for Kyle Walker with Serbia midfielders Dusan Tadic and Aleksandar Mitrovic.
Luke Shaw is currently missing from Gareth Southgate’s lineup, although he could come on later. Substitute Bowen replaces Saka, while I would have preferred Adam Wharton to provide more energy when Serbia keeps pressuring into Pickford’s box. Everton man Tom Cleverley attempts to find space using his first touch; his cross was blocked however; thus leading to another corner which failed to lead anywhere fruitful.
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