Serbia tend to make a mark at international tournaments and in Germany the interesting element is that two of their three most important players ply their trade in Saudi Arabia. Aleksandar Mitrovic and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, teammates at Al-Hilal, join Dusan Tadic as the individuals likely to pose the greatest danger to England in Gelsenkirchen.
Mitrovic, familiar to English fans from his eight years with Newcastle and Fulham, has been mocked in Serbia over his move to the Gulf. The striker has been a Newcastle fan since childhood and it has been suggested that if he loved Saudi Arabia so much he should have submitted his CV to his favourite club rather than playing in the country.
Mitrovic’s determination to leave Fulham for Al-Hilal last August caused widespread disbelief. He was admired at the Premier League club, to the extent that in spring 2023 the then president of the Fulham Supporters’ Trust, Daniel Crawford, told the Serbian publication Nedeljnik: “Do you see these streets? In 20 years, boys named Alexander will be walking here. Mitro means that much to us.”
Even so, his move was less puzzling than Milinkovic-Savic’s from Lazio. The 6ft 4in midfielder had been linked repeatedly with the Premier League from as far back as 2017. Milinkovic-Savic had then just made his Serbia debut after a period of strained relations with the coach, Slavoljub Muslin, which contributed to Muslin’s dismissal. He was playing brilliantly for Lazio.
In the 2017-18 season, Milinkovic-Savic was Lazio’s second-highest scorer in Serie A with 12 goals, provided three assists and stood out in aerial duels. “That period was the biggest step forward in his career,” said Veljko Paunovic, who coached the Serbia Under-20s team that featured Milinkovic-Savic and won the 2015 Under-20 World Cup. “When I met Sergej, he was a nice, reserved kid and certainly the best futsal player I’ve ever seen. But on the big field he was shy. Not any more. He was transformed into a box-to-box monster.”
In 2018 José Mourinho needed such a player at Old Trafford. With the contracts of Marouane Fellaini and Michael Carrick ending it was reported that Manchester United were ready to pay £95m for him. Mourinho attended one of Serbia’s games to watch him.
United were not the only suitors. There were reports of interest from Liverpool, Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus. Yet no deal was finalised, and such speculation has repeated itself every summer like the chorus of a dancehall hit that eventually becomes tiresome.
Time and again a move seemed inevitable, but Milinkovic-Savic spoke publicly only about his club, saying: “I play for Lazio, and I don’t care who comes to watch me.” After years of rumour, few imagined that Al-Hilal would be his next destination.
The disappointment among fans in Serbia was palpable. One of the national team’s most important players, a hero to many, would not be wearing the jersey of a major European club. Serbia’s coach, Dragan Stojkovic, had his say, too: “Sergej and Mitro created a big problem for me. But it’s not what you think. The problem is that now, in addition to all the games I watch, I also have to watch the Saudi Super League.”
Milinkovic-Savic had been Lazio’s team leader in his final season as the club finished second. In Serie A he scored nine goals and recorded eight assists, making him, alongside Ciro Immobile, their most productive attacking player. He led the side in progressive passes with Felipe Anderson and had the most touches in the central third and most tackles in the attacking third. He plays a similar role for Serbia.
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In Saudi Arabia, he is revered and opponents have said he is one of the best in the world, even better than Ronaldo. “Sergej is the best of all the big reinforcements that have arrived in Saudi Arabia,” said Abdulaziz Makin, the Damac midfielder. Fans of Serbia’s national team never see the best of Milinkovic-Savic but Stojkovic has faith in his ability.
Milinkovic-Savic will be crucial to Serbia’s chances even if Tadic, who left Ajax for Fenerbahce last summer, remains the leader. Serbia’s main problem is a poor tactical structure, particularly the excessive distance between the defence and attack.
The team are likely to be one of the most direct at the Euros, and many of those passes find Milinkovic-Savic because his strength and leap often enable him to keep possession or win aerial duels. Serbia rely heavily on crosses, and Milinkovic-Savic has a fantastic sense of space in the box. If he performs to his best on Sunday, fans in England, like those in Serbia, may regret that he chose Saudi Arabia.