Nemanja Vidić Discusses Serbia’s Prospects Ahead of Euro 2024 Clash with England

As Serbia prepares to make its debut as an independent nation at the UEFA Euro 2024 tournament in Germany, former national team captain Nemanja Vidić has shared his thoughts on the team's current state and their expectations. In an interview with Sky Sports, Vidić provided a candid assessment of Serbia's strengths and weaknesses.

Serbia's national team, known by the name 'Оrlovi' (Eagles), has struggled in recent matches, winning only one of their last four games leading into Euro 2024. This will be Serbia's first Euro tournament since gaining independence in 2006, with previous appearances coming under the banners of Yugoslavia and FR Yugoslavia/Serbia and Montenegro. Despite these challenges, Vidić remains cautiously optimistic.

"I think we're good, we've been scoring goals in recent years, especially at the World Cup, where we scored five goals in the group stage. But we're also conceding goals. If you look at Serbia today, two years after Qatar, we haven't improved much in terms of defense, and that's something we need to fix," Vidić said.

Serbia's squad is often referred to being the 'golden generation' of Serbian football, featuring key players such as all-time goalscorer Aleksandar Mitrović, who has netted 57 goals for the team. Other notable players include Dušan Vlahović, Luka Jović, and captain Dušan Tadić, who is the team's all-time leading cap-getter. The team is managed by Dragan Stojković, who has a 56.76% win percentage since taking over in 2021.

Vidić also expressed concerns about the physical condition of some key players who play in leagues outside of Europe. "We have some good players, but we also have players who play in Saudi Arabia or Turkey, and I don't know what kind of physical condition they'll be in. These are players who are very important to us, who create chances and score goals. There are many things to resolve before the start of the European Championship," he noted.

Serbia's first match at Euro 2024 will be against England, one of the tournament favorites. The lack of pressure on Serbia could work to their advantage, especially with players who have had success in the English Premier League in the past. However, Vidić set a modest goal for the team, stating, "I think success for us will be if we get out of the group."

Serbia's path to the knockout stage will not be easy, as they are grouped with two Euro 2020 semifinalists. Their strong attacking lineup, led by Mitrović and supported by Vlahović and Tadić, could help them secure a top-ranked third-place finish. However, they may face a challenging matchup against Portugal in the round of 16.

As Serbia gears up for their historic Euro 2024 campaign, the insights from Nemanja Vidić highlight both the potential and the challenges that lie ahead. With a focus on improving their defense and ensuring the physical readiness of key players, Serbia aims to make a significant impact in their first-ever European Championship as an independent nation.

Key Takeaways

• Serbia prepares for its debut as an independent nation at UEFA Euro 2024 in Germany.
• Former captain Nemanja Vidić is cautiously optimistic about the team's chances.
• Serbia's "golden generation" features key players like Aleksandar Mitrović and Dušan Tadić.
• Vidić expresses concerns about defense and physical condition of players in non-European leagues.
• Serbia's goal is to get out of the group stage, with a tough match against England first.