Serbia National Football Team Formation

Starting Lineup

Rajković · Veljković · Milenković · Pavlović · Lukić · Ilić · Gudelj · Živković · Birmančević · Samardžić · Mitrović

Serbia aims to control the center of the pitch and win the second ball through a heavy midfield presence, utilizing a 3-6-1 formation. This lineup is built to dominate central areas and provide a platform for direct play. The team focuses on central density to squeeze the space between the lines and provide security when the opposition tries to build.

Rajković operates between the posts to organize the back line. A back three consisting of Milenković, Veljković, and Pavlović provides a solid foundation. Milenković acts as the central figure, dominant in the air and capable of clearing the lines. Pavlović and Veljković cover the wide channels to prevent crosses and pick up runners. The defensive unit works to stay compact, often sitting in a mid-block to deny the turn to opposition attackers.

The midfield is a crowded engine room designed to dominate the ball and press aggressively. Gudelj sits as the single pivot to shield the defence and recycle possession. Beside him, Lukić and Ilić work to control the tempo and drive forward with the ball. Samardžić operates in the hole, acting as an attacking ten behind the striker to find the feet of the striker. Birmančević and Živković provide the width from the flanks, helping to switch play and stretch the defence.

The attacking phase relies on Mitrović as a powerful target man. He works to hold up the ball and win the header when the team goes direct. The wingers, Birmančević and Živković, push high to provide service, often looking to whip it in or deliver early balls into the box. Samardžić searches for space between the lines to link play, while the wider midfielders arrive late into the box to support the pressure. Mitrović also leads the way to press from the front, forcing a long ball from the opposition.

This formation offers Serbian players numerical superiority in midfield, making it hard for opponents to play through the lines. The wide presence of Birmančević and Živković allows the team to create wide overloads when they overlap the winger. Having a strong central block helps the team hold a compact shape and protects the back three from being exposed in transition.

Serbia uses this setup to congest the middle and use Mitrović to punish tired defences. It is a lineup best suited for games where the team needs to control the central zone against technical opponents.