Serbia recorded its first victory in the Nations League, fueled by the incredible support in Leskovac – 2:0
Finally! Third time’s a charm! And that’s when perhaps hopes of victory over Switzerland were at their lowest. But, Serbia, reborn like a phoenix, carried by the incredible support in Leskovac, played its best match this year, its best in who knows how long, and recorded its first triumph in the Nations League – 2:0 (1:0).
The first victory in a competitive match after a year, the first time scoring two goals in a match for points since the last home game in Leskovac against Bulgaria (2:2). And finally, a victory against a respectable rival, something we’ve been waiting for three years, since Lisbon and Portugal. And all that with a significantly weakened squad, but with a big heart, discipline, and responsibility. And with a rich reward.
Everything went as planned, as if it was drawn according to some script: two goals, two missed colossal chances, a defense like granite, and then Predrag Rajković’s saved penalty, which killed any hope of the “Swiss” to escape from the Leskovac “Old Trafford”. Twice the Swiss had turned against Serbia, first at the World Cup in Russia, then again in Qatar, but some lessons have obviously been learned.
Perhaps the first 45 minutes weren’t pleasing to the eye. Piksi’s team struggled to organize any kind of action, to cross the opponent’s half, but in defense, there were no leaks, no holes. Switzerland had much more possession of the ball, but they didn’t know what to do with it. The opponent created one chance, Embolo’s shot went wide of the goal.
The Serbian attack lived on the individual actions of Birmančević, Samardžić, and the breakthroughs of Pavlović, who also created the situation from which the leading goal fell. The Serbian defender won a free kick, and the ball from the cross hit Elvedi on the penalty spot and ended up in the net – 1:0.
Piksi’s substitution at the beginning of the second half was Jović instead of Grujić. Bold – a striker instead of a defensive midfielder. And almost in the first minute to be gilded: Jović found himself alone against the Swiss goalkeeper and hit him in the hand! After the match with Spain in Belgrade (0:0), another incredible miss by the Serbian striker. But, if it’s any consolation, it didn’t cost us points.
And it didn’t cost because of the fantasy that Aleksandar Mitrović performed! Zdjelar sent him a long ball, the Serbian ace reached it literally on the touchline, just a centimeter before it went out of play, started a solo action towards the penalty area, and then after a fake shot sent an arrow into the Swiss net – 2:0! What a volcano in the stands, what a wave of enthusiasm, the likes of which haven’t been seen at Serbia matches for a long time.
Jović could have sealed the victory after that, he missed a great chance with his head to increase the lead to three, and then Switzerland went all out. Nedeljković committed a penalty, but Rajković saved Embolo’s shot and joined the ranks of another of the heroes of this victory.
Serbia defended until the end, endured great pressure, the young Maksimović and Čumić got their debut, and in the end, it remained 2:0. Finally! At least once, let’s see those Swiss on their knees. They owe us a lot, they still do.
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Source: Mozzartsport
Photo: Telegraf / Nikola Tomić