Serbia centre-back Strahinja Pavlovic wants to expose England’s “flaws” during their Euro opener in Gelsenkirchen and make attack their best form of defence.
Pavlovic, 23, insists his team-mates can take inspiration from Iceland’s win ahead of the tournament, when Southgate’s team were defeated 1-0 and conceded several chances at Wembley.
With Mitrovic, Vlahovic and Luka Jovic among Serbia’s forwards, their attack could cause problems for an England back line with Maguire absent and Stones a concern having missed a day of training this week through illness.
“If I were to ask myself, and if I could decide about it, I would attack the English,” said Pavlovic. “I would go up there and try to press them. Everyone has flaws, even the English. We saw how organised Iceland was able to threaten and defeat them. We are analyzing everything and will prepare well.”
Pavlovic is likely to be marking Harry Kane at the Veltins Arena this evening, but he is wary of focusing solely on the Bayern Munich striker.
“An incredible player, he had a great season, and if you want to stop such a player, you have to do it as a team,” he said. “All together. We must defend together, attack together. We are best when we have the ball at our feet, we will try to play like that. There’s also Jude Bellingham. He had a great season, he is in top form, but we have to be a team. To do our best, to stop all those players.”
What are the odds?
- England 2/5
- Serbia 6/1
- Draw 10/3
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