The view from Serbia

On Monday night in Belgrade, Ireland and Serbia will both begin new footballing eras. Ireland begin life without iconic goalscorer Robbie Keane, while Serbia will play their first competitive game under new coach Slavoljub Muslin.

New Era

Serbia have not qualified for a major tournament since the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Muslin who has previous managerial experience with sides such as Bordeaux and Red Star Belgrade will hope to right the wrongs of previous regimes, who have failed to realise the true potential of a squad brimming with stars from the Premier League, Bundesliga and Serie A.

Problems on and off the pitch have hindered Serbia recently. During the Euro 2016 qualifiers, Serbia were docked three points after crowd trouble during a game with arch-rivals Albania. In 2010, during a game against Italy for Euro 2012 qualification Serbia were also docked points when the game was abandoned after just seven minutes with sections of the Serbian crowd throwing flares onto the pitch.

After being drawn in a favourable group alongside the Republic of Ireland, Wales, Austria, Georgia and Moldova, the Serbians are a little more confident of securing World Cup qualification.

“The issue of continuity in the Serbian team has been a huge problem," says Serbian footballer writer Milos Dusanovic.

“Mangers get fired on a regular basis, so it’s very difficult for players to get comfortable and to grow as a team. Things are always changing and there is little time for proper building."

Respect

The home side have been very respectful during their preparation for this game. Defender Matija Nastasic said: “I do not agree with the view that this group is easy. Easy groups do not exist. Ours is no exception. The Republic of Ireland, Wales and Austria are quality teams.”

Milos Dusanovic reiterates this. He emphasises that while Ireland may have no star quality, they do possess a sense of togetherness and stability which allows them to punch above their weight.

“Everyone in Serbia respects the Irish and the way that they play with passion for their country. No one has really focused on one player since Ireland’s key to success is how they work as a team and play well together.”

The Markana stadium will play host to the game. The 55,000-seater, which is renowned for its fiery atmosphere when Red Star and Partizan Belgrade contest the Belgrade derby, is not expected to be quite as intimidating for this international fixture. The FSS (Serbian Football Association) have given many tickets away to schoolboy clubs in an attempt to fill the stadium, reports Dusanovic. “The stadium will be decently filled but not full.”

Neither manager has a full deck to choose from. The hosts will be without two star players, Nemanja Matic, and Aleksander Kolarov, who both miss out through suspension. The Boys in Green will be without James McCarthy (injury) and Shane Duffy (suspension), while Martin O’Neill will sweat over the fitness of Seamus Coleman who has recently returned from injury and is racing to be fit on Monday night. John O’Shea is also a doubt.

Dusanovic predicts a close game: “I think it will probably end in a 0-0 draw. The group is very even. I think we will see a lot of close games and draws. The top two spots will be decided in the last two match days”.

He also warned Irish fans to look out for Hamburger SV winger Filip Kostic, who he described as “skilled, quick and dangerous on the counter with a great cross.”

Under Muslim, Serbia have been playing a 3-4-2-1 formation, with three centre backs and two attacking wingbacks. Dusanovic predicts that the home side will line out as follows: Rajkovic, Ivanovic, Nastasic, Rajkovic, Mladenovic, Rukavina, Fejsa, Maksimovic, Kostic, Tadic, Pavlovic.

This opening game presents an opportunity for both sides to put pressure on the groups other highly rated teams, Austria and Wales. Austria face a tricky tie away to Georgia, while Wales will hope to replicate their Euro 2016 form in a home game against Moldova.

Follow Milos Dusanovic on Twitter @SerbianFooty.