Slavoljub Muslin - 'One of the most difficult games I've faced as a coach'

Serbia manager Slavoljub Muslin called his side's 1-0 victory over the Republic of Ireland one of the most difficult games he has faced as a coach.

 

The away side took away all three points after an Aleksandar Kolarov goal, and Muslin conceded his side were not the better team on the night, simply the more clinical.

 

He did plan going into the game, however, that Ireland were to play a more progressive style than what was seen in Georgia, as it proved.

 

“They held the ball for quite a long time,” he said. “We were trying with counter-attacks. We knew they would possess the ball more often.

 

“I asked my team to play our game. We were lucky to score the goal because it did hit the post.”

 



The Serbs coped with losing defender Nikola Maksimovic to a red card mid-way through the second half and having used all three sub struggled to even have nine men on the pitch by the end of the game.

 

“Practically we played with nine players, but they didn't have many chances despite all of that. I do congratulate Ireland on their fighting spirit.”

 

Serbia's win sees them go top of Group D, four points clear of second-placed Wales with Ireland third – a further point behind.

 



One win from their last two games will see Serbia through to Russia next year.

 

The former Bordeaux and Red Star Belgrade coach said this win was the most crucial of all, as it sets up the Eagles for almost guaranteed qualification.

 

“It was one of the most difficult games I've faced as a coach,” he said. “I don't think we surprised them much. We kept our style of play.

 

“It was also one of the most important games as we knew this would be the game to win to go to the World Cup.”

 

 

 

 

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