Serbia vs Netherlands
Match Preview
Serbia showed some positive moments against Greece and took an early 1-0 lead through a fourth-minute goal. However, their performance gradually became more passive, with the team looking less involved as the match progressed.
They eventually suffered a narrow 1-2 defeat after conceding very late in added time. Still, when considering the match as a whole, Serbia were largely outplayed and struggled to create enough answers on the field.
Goalkeeper Rajkovic (44/0, Al Ittihad), defenders Mimovic (8/0, Fenerbahce), Milenkovic (71/3, Nottingham Forest) and Veljkovic (39/1, Crvena Zvezda), midfielder Birmancevic (17/0, Ferencvaros), and forwards Vlahovic (41/16, Besiktas) and Mitrovic (106/64, Al Rayyan) will be unavailable.
The Netherlands come into this match after a 1-1 home draw against Germany last Friday. They had to chase the result from the 32nd minute until the final stages of the game.
Gakpo scored the equalizer in the second minute of added time, with the Netherlands dominating the second half and creating enough pressure to suggest they deserved more than just a draw. Their overall performance after the break was particularly strong.
Defenders Wieffer (15/1, Brighton) and de Vrij (79/4, Panathinaikos), midfielders Kluivert (14/0, Bournemouth), de Jong (70/2, Barcelona), de Roon (44/1, Roma) and Simons (34/6, Tottenham), along with forwards Malen (56/13, Roma), Weghorst (53/14, Twente) and Depay (112/55, Corinthians), are also not included in the squad this time.
Both teams are expected to make several changes for this match. Serbia could offer more attacking threat than they managed in the opening round, but the Netherlands still look like the stronger side on paper. Their attacking options should give them plenty of opportunities, and if they find their rhythm, scoring three goals is certainly within their capabilities.