Manchester United midfielder Nemanja Matic said on Thursday his Serbia side were ready for a “hellish” clash against Switzerland in a crunch Group E encounter tinged with political tension. The Serbs control their destiny after an opening 1-0 win against Costa Rica on Sunday, which came courtesy of a stunning Aleksandar Kolarov free-kick.
But Friday’s game could decide the eventual shape of Group E, with both sides vying for what is likely a single last-16 spot alongside five-time winners Brazil. “We are aware of what is in store for us,” Matic said. “They have qualities throughout the squad, excellent individuals. We expect a hellish game but we are going to be ready for anything.”
Swiss coach Vladimir Petkovic has vowed to keep up his side’s high-tempo, physical approach that earned them a draw with Brazil. Switzerland fouled Neymar 10 times during Sunday’s 1-1 stalemate — the most inflicted on a single player in a World Cup game since 1998 — and Petkovic said his side would not hold back against the Serbs.
“We can’t just play physically,” he said. “We also have to outrun our opponents and I believe also that we have to play our own football.”
Serbia boast a host of current and former Premier League talent, including Matic, Kolarov and Newcastle forward Aleksandar Mitrovic. But their rising star is Lazio’s Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, a rangy attacking midfielder who has drawn comparisons with Serbian great Dejan Stankovic.