Serbia vs Spain

Spain will kick off their 2024–25 UEFA Nations League campaign against Serbia at the Rajko Mitic Stadium in Belgrade on Thursday night. Coming fresh off their resounding triumph at Euro 2024, where they became the first team in history to win the European Championship four times, La Roja now face the challenge of continuing their dominance in League A Group 4. Alongside Serbia, they will be competing against Denmark and Switzerland, making this group one of the most competitive in the competition.

Spain’s Dominance and Recent Success

La Roja head into this encounter as the reigning UEFA Nations League champions, having clinched the title in 2023. Their path to victory was impressive, topping their group and overcoming tough opponents like Italy and Croatia. Under the guidance of head coach Luis de la Fuente, who took charge in December 2022, Spain has been a formidable force on the international stage. His leadership was instrumental in Spain's Euro 2024 triumph, where they defeated England 2-1 in the final at the Olympiastadion in Berlin, solidifying their place as one of Europe’s most elite teams.

De la Fuente’s Spain is built on a strong tactical foundation, combining defensive solidity with clinical attacking prowess. The statistics speak volumes: Spain won all seven of their matches at Euro 2024, setting a record as the first European team to achieve this in a major competition. Their attack was equally remarkable, scoring 15 goals—the highest ever tally in Euros history. Such a performance only underscores their status as one of the most exciting and formidable teams on the continent.

Spain’s style of play under De la Fuente is built around possession-based football, a continuation of the philosophy that has defined the team for over a decade. Anchored by key players like Rodri in midfield, Spain dominates the ball, patiently probing for openings in the opposition’s defense. With a focus on technical proficiency and quick transitions, Spain is adept at breaking down even the most well-organized defenses. Their ability to control games through midfield dominance will undoubtedly be a key factor in their upcoming clash against Serbia.

Serbia’s Mixed Fortunes and Struggles in Major Competitions

On the other side, Serbia comes into this match with a mix of hope and uncertainty. While they have made significant strides in the Nations League, progressing from League C to League A in just a few years, their performances in major tournaments have left much to be desired. Serbia qualified for Euro 2024 for the first time as an independent nation, but their campaign was underwhelming. Placed in Group C alongside England, Denmark, and Slovenia, the Eagles managed only two points, finishing bottom of the group and failing to advance to the knockout stages.

This disappointment marked a continuation of Serbia's struggles under head coach Dragan Stojkovic in major competitions. Despite leading the team through several qualification campaigns, Stojkovic has yet to achieve success at a major tournament. His record at Euro 2024 and previous competitions raises questions about his tactical approach and ability to get the best out of a talented, but often inconsistent, Serbian squad.

Serbia’s performance in the Nations League, however, has been much more positive. They won four out of six games in the last edition of the tournament, finishing at the top of League B Group 4 ahead of Sweden, Norway, and Slovenia. This success earned them promotion to League A, where they now face some of Europe’s strongest teams. Despite this achievement, the challenge of competing at the highest level in the Nations League will be significant, particularly as they face a Spain side brimming with confidence.

Key Players and Team News

One of the major concerns for Serbia heading into this match is the absence of several key players. Star striker Aleksandar Mitrovic and midfield maestro Sergej Milinkovic-Savic are both sidelined due to injuries, while Dusan Tadic, a stalwart of the Serbian national team for years, has retired from international football. This leaves a significant gap in both leadership and firepower, particularly in attack, where Serbia has traditionally relied heavily on Mitrovic’s physical presence and goal-scoring ability.

In Mitrovic’s absence, Luka Jovic is expected to lead the line for Serbia. The 26-year-old forward has had a somewhat inconsistent career at the club level, but he remains one of Serbia’s most talented attacking options. However, without the support of Tadic and Milinkovic-Savic, Jovic may find himself isolated up front, especially against a Spain team that excels at controlling possession and dictating the tempo of the game.

Serbia’s squad also includes a number of uncapped players, as Stojkovic looks to inject fresh blood into the team. Millwall forward Mihailo Ivanovic and Sunderland midfielder Milan Aleksic are among the new faces, along with right-back Kosta Nedeljkovic of Aston Villa. These players will be eager to make an impact on their debuts, but their lack of international experience could be a vulnerability against a seasoned Spain side.

For Spain, injuries have also caused some reshuffling, particularly in attack. Alvaro Morata, the team’s usual number nine, is out with a thigh injury, while goalkeeper Unai Simon, who has been Spain’s first-choice shot-stopper in recent years, is unavailable due to a hand injury. This opens the door for David Raya of Arsenal to start in goal, while Real Sociedad forward Mikel Oyarzabal is expected to lead the line in Morata’s absence.

The midfield remains Spain’s strongest area, with Rodri set to return to the fold after missing Manchester City’s early fixtures this season. Rodri, who was one of the standout performers at Euro 2024, will be crucial in controlling the tempo of the game and providing a shield for Spain’s defense. In attack, young talents like Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal will be looking to impress, with Yamal, in particular, emerging as one of Spain’s brightest prospects in recent months.

Tactical Battle and Expectations

Tactically, this match will likely be defined by Spain’s ability to dominate possession and Serbia’s efforts to remain compact and organized defensively. Serbia is expected to line up in a 3-5-2 formation, with a focus on crowding the midfield and limiting Spain’s space in central areas. However, Spain’s fluid front line, with Oyarzabal leading the attack and Williams and Yamal providing width, could stretch Serbia’s defense and create gaps for Spain’s midfield runners.

Without their key attacking players, Serbia may struggle to create clear-cut chances, particularly against a Spain defense that has been solid in recent matches. Spain’s high pressing game could also disrupt Serbia’s build-up play, forcing them into mistakes in dangerous areas. Jovic will need to make the most of any half-chances that come his way, but Serbia’s lack of creativity in midfield could be a major stumbling block.

In contrast, Spain’s well-balanced squad, combined with their tactical flexibility, makes them strong favorites to win this match. Their ability to control games and create scoring opportunities from a variety of positions will likely prove too much for a depleted Serbian side.

Conclusion

As Spain prepares to face Serbia in their opening UEFA Nations League fixture, the odds are heavily in favor of La Roja continuing their impressive run of form. With a squad brimming with talent and confidence, and the tactical acumen of Luis de la Fuente, Spain is well-positioned to secure a comfortable victory. Serbia, missing key players and struggling to find consistency in major competitions, will face an uphill battle, particularly against a Spain team that is firing on all cylinders.

While Serbia has shown progress in the Nations League, the gap in quality between the two sides is evident. Spain should have little trouble overcoming their Serbian opponents, and a victory on Thursday would set them on the right path toward another successful Nations League campaign.