Group G is almost a re-run of 2018 in Russia, with Cameroon replacing Costa Rica this time round. Brazil topped the group, as might have been expected with seven points, Switzerland too were unbeaten finishing on five points and this meant that Serbia and Costa Rica went home. Serbia will be looking for revenge this time out after a feisty encounter between themselves and Switzerland last time. In that match two players of Albanian heritage Granit Xhaka and Xherdan Shaqiri were on the scoresheet in a 2-1 win. It will be a heated occasion once again no doubt and at the moment Switzerland are the favourites to go through again with the bookmakers.
Serbia are a country with a complicated World Cup history having been a part of Yugoslavia, Serbia & Montenegro and now just as Serbia. As just Serbia, this will be their third World Cup tournament, having never got beyond the group stage. As well as 2018, they were also knocked out in 2010, despite beating Germany they lost to both Australia and Ghana. In terms of attackers, everyone knows the names; Vlahović, Mitrović, Jović and their captain Tadić. However, at international tournaments, you must also be defensively sound – enter Strahinja Pavlović.
Strahinja Pavlović, 21 (Serbia/Red Bull Salzburg)
Pavlović is a young central defender who has only this summer arrived at Austrian outfit Red Bull Salzburg. Salzburg, well known for their talent identification. Pavlović has also had periods on loan in Belgium and Switzerland from parent club at the time Monaco. At 21, he is a commanding figure in the box at 6ft 4, however always seems to be the aggressor wanting to play on the front foot. Often balls will enter the half-space between the defence and attack and Pavlović can be seen reading the play and immediately closing the attacker down. His size by no means hinders him, his stride is vast but his agility is snappy, not what you might expect for someone of his frame and build.
Serbia have been experimenting with a back three in recent months in the Nations League and international friendlies. These formations can materialise as 3-5-2 or 3-4-2-1, depending on the opponent. Pavlović usually finds himself on the left of the back three.
Let’s look at the numbers then. To compare we will be using FBRef comparisons, which do not look in-depth at the Austrian Bundesliga, so these comparisons are made from 707 minutes in European competitions in the last 365 days. Comparisons are made to other players in the top five leagues in Europe as well as the UCL and UEL.
There’s a few metrics where Pavlović’s stats look really strong. Starting with tackles, he is in 97th percentile for this, averaging 2.67 per 90. Tackling is a definite highlight of his game. He is not only strong in a tackle but clean too. Tackles can be standing or on the ground and decision making seems mature.
Pavlović also makes 5.47 clearances per game. This may well have been because RB Salzburg found themselves under the cosh in a lot of knockout games last season, however the numbers are still impressive and put him within the 97th percentile.
The command of his area is something you might expect from a 6ft 4 centre-back and that’s exactly what you get. He is in the 91st percentile for blocks per 90, achieving an average of 1.65 per 90 but it’s his aerial ability that is really impressive. This average aerial duels won per 90 is 4.20, this puts him in the 99th percentile for defenders. In European competitions, to be putting numbers up like this is really impressive and should only improve with age.
Serbia will have to dig deep to inflict revenge on a tough Switzlerand team, however with a new formation and some senior players around they could well qualify for the second round for the first time as Serbia.
*All statistics taken from FBRef website
Statswise FC 