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Anselm Noronha

Serbia Euro 2024 squad: Dorde Petrovic and Aleksandar Mitrovic among those picked

Serbia will compete in the tournament as an independent nation for the very first time. But who is in their Euro 2024 squad?

Having previously competed as Yugoslavia (1920-1992), FR Yugoslavia (1992-2003), and Serbia and Montenegro (2003-2006), Serbia will be looking to make a statement in the return to the European Championship since their last appearance at the tournament in 2000.

Although the European nation made it to the World Cup four times since 2000, failing to make it past the group stage on all counts, the two-time runners-up (1960 and 1968) finished as quarter-finalists at Euro 2000.

After missing out on a place at Euro 2020 by losing to Scotland on penalties in a play-off, the Eagles finished second to Hungary from Group G of the Euro 2024 qualifiers and are pitted alongside Slovenia, Denmark and England in Group C at the final tournament.

With local football legend Dragon Stojikovic leading as head coach from 2021, Serbia would face Russia, Cyprus, Austria and Sweden in friendlies ahead of Euro 2024.

GOAL takes a look at the final list of 26 players Stojikovic confirmed for the Euro 2024...

  • Vanja Milinkovic-Savic TorinoGetty

    GOALKEEPERS

    Torino's Vanja Milinkovic-Savic recorded two clean sheets in the Euro 2024 qualifiers - where he started all games, making him the undisputed first choice in goal.

    Both Predrag Rajkovic and Dorde Petrovic were offered starts in the March preparatory friendlies.

    NameClub
    Dorde PetrovicChelsea
    Predrag RajkovicMallorca
    Vanja Milinkovic-SavicTorino
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  • Nikola Milenkovic SerbiaGetty Images

    DEFENDERS

    Fiorentina's Nikola Milenkovic has the potential to stand up to the likes of Harry Kane in the group games.

    Most of the defenders in the roster have been given minutes in the two friendlies played so far, with Strahinja Pavlovic, Milos Veljkovic and Srdan Babic all suited to a three-man backline.

    The relatively inexperienced Jan-Carlo Simic of AC Milan and Zenit Saint Petersburg's Strahinja Erakovic haven't made it ahead of Filip Mladenovic of Panathinaikos.

    NameClub
    Filip MladenovicPanathinaikos
    Milos VeljkovicWerder Bremen
    Nemanja GudeljSevilla
    Nemanja StojicTSC Backa Topola
    Nikola MilenkovicFiorentina
    Srdan BabicSpartak Moscow
    Strahinja PavlovicRed Bull Salzburg
    Uros SpajicRed Star Belgrade
  • Dusan TadicGetty

    MIDFIELDERS

    Although aged 35, captain Dusan Tadic will remain Serbia's primary playmaker. The Fenerbahce man should be utilised on the set-pieces and has provided the most assists (4) in the team during the qualifiers.

    Experience may play a key role in midfield, and players like Filip Koctic, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, Sasa Lukic, Nemanja Maksimovic, Mijat Gacinovic and Andrija Zivkovic provide just that.

    Mallorca's Nemanja Radonjic is among those to be excluded from the final list.

    NameClub
    Andrija ZivkovicPAOK
    Dusan TadicFenerbahce
    Filip KosticJuventus
    Ivan IlicTorino
    Lazar SamardzicUdinese
    Mijat GacinovicAEK Athens
    Nemanja MaksimovicGetafe
    Sasa LukicFulham
    Sergej Milenkovic-SavicAl-Hilal
    Srdan MijailovicRed Star Belgrade
    Vejko BirmancevicSparta Prague
  • Aleksandar Mitrovic Serbia 2023Getty

    FORWARDS

    If Serbia should see success at Euros 2024, Aleksandar Mitrovic will have to carry the burden of scoring goals once again. The Al-Hilal forward is the nation's record goalscorer and bulged the net five times during the qualifiers.

    AC Milan's Luka Jovic may be the next best bet in attack, but Dusan Vlahovic's inclusion after the Juventus forward missed the March international also adds to the promise.

    Red Bull Salzburg forward Petar Ratkov has also made a return.

    NameClub
    Aleksandar MitrovicAl-Hilal
    Dusan VlahovicJuventus
    Luka JovicAC Milan
    Petar RatkovRed Bull Salzburg
  • Dragan StojkovicMN PRESS

    EXPECTED XI

    Stojkovic has tried out a few systems, but 3-4-2-1 remains his preferred formation.

    The most likely trio of defenders would be Nikola Milenkovic, Strahinja Pavlovic and Srdan Babic.

    PAOK winger Andrija Zivkovic and Juventus left wing-back Filip Kostic can assume the wide roles, with Sasa Lukic of Fulham and Srdan Mijailovic of Red Star Belgrade playing through the middle.

    Al-Hilal's Sergej Milinkovic-Savic can join captain Dusan Tadic, just behind Aleksander Mitrovic in attack.

    Serbia (3-4-2-1): V. Milonkovic-Savic; Milenkovic, Pavlovic, Babic; Zivkovic, Lukic, Mijailovic, Kostic; S. Mikinkovic-Savic, Tadic; Mitrovic.