Group D / Dave Farrar / 14 May 2010 / Leave a comment Free £25 Bet

Serbia will be delighted to finally be at a World Cup as Serbia and now they've done that, they're not travelling to South Africa just to make up the numbers. A handful of Premier League-based players make up the spine of a pretty useful team.

"If they can get through a really tough group, then they have the players to make a big noise here. The spine of the team is good, there’s inspiration from out wide, and decent finishers to make the most of the chances which should come their way."

The nation of Serbia finally has what it has always wanted, a team at a World Cup that they can call their own. They were once again outstanding in qualifying, making a difficult group look very easy, and once again the fear is that they'll fail to convert that kind of form into something approaching success at a major tournament.

Before the 2006 World Cup Serbia and Montenegro, as they were then, conceded just one goal in qualifying before letting in ten in three tournament games. They do bring a serious squad to South Africa, though, and the players that remain from that last campaign can only have been strengthened by the experience of failing in such abject fashion last time.

If they can get through a really tough group, then they have the players to make a big noise here. The spine of the team is good, there's inspiration from out wide, and decent finishers to make the most of the chances which should come their way. You worry a little about their mental approach, as teams from the former Yugoslavia, all the way back to the days of the great Dragan Dzaijic, have always struggled to convert ability and technique into major tournament performances.

The fact that so many Serbian players are established performers all around the European Leagues means that the steel may well be there now, and if that is the case, then Serbia are a side to be feared.

Coach:

Radomir Antic

Raddy Antic will always have a special place in the hearts of English football fans after his goal prompted David Pleat's beige shoed, arm waving, suit buttoning dance on the pitch at Kenilworth Road.

He was never much more than a journeyman as a player, but he has put together a most impressive coaching CV, winning the double with Atletico Madrid in 1996. He took a break from football for four years but returned to take the Serbia job, and it's a decision which has paid dividends for both him and his country as he has rid the team of potentially divisive elements. Antic remains the only man to have coached Real and Atletico Madrid, as well as Barcelona.

Key Players

Nemanja Vidic

Antic would love to partner Vidic at centre half with Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic, but his lack of options at right back means that Vidic will be alongside the youngster Neven Subotic with Ivanovic down the right. This adds to the responsibilities heaped upon Vidic, whose form has suffered for Manchester United this season, but who may just be returning to his best after injury. To further multiply the problems for Vidic, the man behind him in goal is Vladimir Stojkovic, and Wigan fans will tell you unhappily about his deficiencies.

Milan Jovanovic

Jovanovic has been terrific for Standard Liege this season and has earned a move to Liverpool as a result of his form. He will give the team width down the left hand side, with Milos Krasic, mightily impressive in the Champions League for CSKA Moscow, down the right. Jovanovic was excellent against quality opposition in Standard's Europa League campaign, and there's a suspicion that he's a better player against better opposition. If that's the case, then he should have a great summer.

Marko Pantelic

Pantelic is onto the eleventh club of an interesting career, but he has experienced something of a revival at Ajax, and has thrived alongside Luis Suarez in the Eredivisie's most prolific attack. Pantelic is also a selfless provider for Suarez and the likes of Jovanovic and Nikola Zigic will make headlines because of his hard work. His post match interviews should also be interesting as, to say the least: Pantelic hears the beat of a different drummer.

Recommended Bet:
Back Serbia to win Group D @ [4.8]

Tags: Nemanja Vidic, Radomir Antic, Serbia players, Serbian football team, Serbian footballers, World Cup fixtures