Serbia National Football Team Formation

Starting Lineup

RAJKOVIĆ · VELJKOVIĆ · MILENKOVIĆ · PAVLOVIĆ · ŽIVKOVIĆ · KOSTIĆ · GUDELJ · LUKIĆ · ??? · VLAHOVIĆ · MITROVIĆ

Serbia focuses on a high press and rapid transitions using a 3-5-2. This formation aims to control the center of the pitch while using wide players to stretch the opposition. The lineup is built to win the ball high up the pitch and immediately target the strikers in the channels.

Rajković acts as the last line of defense in goal. The back three consists of Veljković, Milenković, and Pavlović. Milenković serves as the central defender to win the header and organize the line, while Pavlović and Veljković cover the wide areas. This unit works as a narrow defensive block that can shift to squeeze the space when the ball moves sideways. The defenders are tasked to step up to set the offside trap or drop into a low block when under heavy pressure.

The midfield relies on a central core to manage the tempo. Gudelj plays as the single pivot to shield the defense and intercept passes. Lukić operates in the midfield to drive forward with the ball and connect the defensive and attacking lines. The remaining midfielder alongside Lukić and Gudelj helps to compress the midfield. To provide width, Živković plays on the right and Kostić plays on the left, both working to deliver early crosses and track back to help the defenders.

Serbia utilizes two forwards in a partnership to lead the attack. Mitrović acts as a target man who can hold up the ball and win the header, while Vlahović plays as a pressing centre-forward who looks to run in behind. The two forwards press the opposition back line to force a long ball. The wingers, Kostić and Živković, provide the width needed to stretch the defense, often looking to get to the byline and cut it back for the strikers.

A major strength for Serbia is the ability to create wide overloads when the wingers and wide defenders combine. The formation also offers numerical superiority in midfield through the central trio of Gudelj, Lukić, and the third midfielder. This allows the team to win the second ball and transition quickly. The presence of two physical strikers also makes them very dangerous on set pieces and in direct play.

This 3-5-2 formation is a powerful tool for a team that wants to dominate the central areas and hit opponents on the break. It is best suited for games against sides that play a high line and can be punished with runs in behind.