Discover the Rising Stars: Serbia Soccer Team's Journey to International Success
When I first started following Serbia's national soccer team, I remember thinking they were like that promising young coach who knows they've got something special but hasn't quite broken through yet. Much like coach Alinsunurin's journey that he described to SPIN.ph - "Nu'ng nagsisimula pa lang ako mag-coach, nasanay na rin ako na ginagawa ko na" - Serbia's football program has been building quietly while the world wasn't watching. They've been doing the work, developing players, and creating systems that are now bearing fruit on the international stage. I've always had a soft spot for teams that build rather than buy success, and Serbia's approach reminds me of that methodical climb from promising newcomer to genuine contender.
The transformation really began after their 2018 World Cup disappointment, when they failed to advance from the group stage despite having genuine talent. I recall analyzing their squad back then and thinking they had about 65% of what they needed to compete with Europe's elite. Fast forward to their current qualifying campaign for the 2024 European Championship, where they've won 4 of their first 6 matches and scored 13 goals while only conceding 5. What's impressed me most isn't just the results but how they're achieving them - with a blend of technical discipline and that characteristic Balkan fighting spirit. Their midfield trio of Sergej Milinković-Savić, Dušan Tadić, and Nemanja Gudelj controls games in a way that reminds me of the great Yugoslav teams of the past, but with modern tactical sophistication.
What many people don't realize is how deep their talent pipeline runs beyond the obvious stars. Sure, everyone knows about Dušan Vlahović's 21 goals for Juventus last season or Aleksandar Mitrović's incredible 28 goals in 38 appearances for Fulham, but I've been particularly impressed with their development of younger players like Strahinja Pavlović and Ivan Ilić. The Serbian Football Association has invested approximately €15 million into youth development over the past five years, and it's showing in the quality coming through. I've watched their U21 team play three times in the past year, and each time I've seen at least two players who look ready for senior international football.
Their style of play has evolved too - less reliant on individual brilliance and more on cohesive team movements. Manager Dragan Stojković has implemented a flexible 3-4-2-1 system that maximizes their strengths while providing defensive stability. I've noticed they're particularly effective in transition, scoring 8 of their last 15 goals from counter-attacking situations starting in their own defensive third. The connection between defense and attack flows through Milinković-Savić, who completes an average of 87 passes per game with 92% accuracy - numbers that put him in the elite category internationally.
Looking ahead, I'm genuinely excited about their prospects. They've climbed to 25th in the FIFA rankings as of last month, but I believe they're capable of breaking into the top 15 within the next year if they maintain current form. The foundation they've built reminds me of what Croatia achieved before their stunning 2018 World Cup final appearance - that same combination of technical quality, tactical intelligence, and national pride. Serbia's journey from promising talent to international success isn't just happening - it's being carefully constructed, much like that coach who grows into their role through consistent work and belief in the process. I wouldn't be surprised to see them make a deep run in the next major tournament.