Norway 0–2 Serbia: how experience and youth came together for another emphatic all-or-nothing win
For some nations, winning decisive matches in football is just another day in the office. For Serbs — I can tell you — it’s not. After decades of falling short at the last hurdle, Stojković’s men are changing the narrative. First Portugal was beaten in Lisbon, to qualify for the World Cup, and now Norway was brushed aside in a game that was about more than just winning their Nations League group.
The win means that Serbia enters the European Qualifying draw as a pot 2 team. Quite important, as the nation has failed to qualify for a European Championship since 2000. World Cups — ironically — are not a problem, with 4 out of 5 successful qualifying campaigns since 2006.
Furthermore, Serbia will enter the A division of the Nations League, which offers a great opportunity to play world-class opposition and take the next step in their development. There are even rumours about the top 6 South American sides joining the next edition, however, no confirmation of that yet.
But I digress, back to the Norway game. What was the key to Serbia’s success?
No regista, but a trequartista
Serbia had a cagey start to the match, as the opening 20 minutes were characterized by Norwegian pressure and no real answer from Serbia, other than long balls. The regista I wrote about last time — Sergej Milinković-Savić — was out with a suspension, and it took the side some time to adjust to that loss.
Having one good playmaker is a blessing, but having two is a luxury and it showed in this match, as Dušan Tadić — like a true leader — played a key role in Serbia’s win. For it was he who took initiative into his own hands and got the team playing passing football again. The key to this, was his movement. Vertically, but even more so horizontally.
Tadić’s free role, saw him move to the side where the ball was located, in order to help set up attacks and find pockets of space. It was therefore no surprise that he created Serbia’s first big chance of the match, with the key pass (in this case cross) you see in the picture above.
Vlahović’s header was impressively parried by the goalkeeper.
Serbia’s first goal, however, was straight from Stojković’s play book.
Many teams these days opt for a set-up that aims to exploit all 5 channels of the pitch. Two players keeping width, two operating in the half-spaces and one down the middle. There are of course variations, with the 2–3–5, 3–2–5 or even 3–1–6, but the idea is similar. Play line-breaking passes and overload the defence, while keeping the rest-defence in place for recycling, pressure, or simply cover in case of ball-loss.
Serbia did so in a 3–2–5, as you can see below, with Tadić — once again — playing a key role.
Signs of improvement on the defensive end
With the offensive style of play Stojković demands from his side, there are always going to be defensive weaknesses. In some matches they were painfully obvious, but against Norway — and one of the most lethal strikers on earth — there were just two precarious moments. One after barely 20 seconds and the other in the dying minutes of the match. In other words, key concentration moments.
Looking at the defensive organization in general, this was one of the most mature matches this Serbian generation has played and only the third clean sheet in 14 official matches. But what is it that made Serbia so hard to break down?
A one-man wrecking crew
One of Norway’s main build-up tactics was the long ball to Alexander Sørloth — who played on the right wing — in an attempt to bypass the crowded middle of the pitch and win the header up field. Usually, he faces a fullback in that position, and it’s as close to a sure thing as you can get, but not against Serbia.
Sørloth was up against an inspired Strahinja Pavlović, who won 24 out of 28 duels against the Norwegian attacker, including 7 aerial duels.
It was an immense overall performance from the 21-year-old, who had a rough season last year and was coping with heavy criticism in his native country. Since his move to RB Salzburg, however, he’s been back to his old ways and against Norway, he was better than ever.
Ødegaard shut down
When you think of the Norwegian national team, two names in particular come to mind. One is of course Erling Haaland and the other, Martin Ødegaard. In the absence of Sergej Milinković-Savić, another Serbian youngster — Ivan Ilić (21) — got the chance to play, and play he did.
Like the entire Serbian team, he had a quiet opening 20 minutes, but once he started playing more freely, he showcased some of that serious potential he possesses. His movement in particular stood out, as he tried to combine his way through the Norwegian defence on several occasions.
For those not familiar with him yet, I did a detailed analysis on Ilić for Scouted Football.
If you read the article, you’d have seen that although I believe he is not a natural defender, he is good at pressing the opponent and sticking to them like glue. And it was business as usual against Ødegaard as Stojković sent out Ilić with the specific task of man-marking the Norwegian midfield maestro.
Ilić won 5 out of 6 duels against him, while limiting Ødegaard to just 9 forward passes. 6 less than his season average.
Collective defending, front and back
However, an individual can only do so much. The real key to successful defending can be found in the collective. Last night showed that, although Stojković is primarily an attacking coach, it doesn’t stop him from having a meticulous approach to defending.
Serbia showed its defensive intentions during different phases. For instance, when the Norwegians tried to build from the back or recycle, there were pressing triggers in place to halt their attacks, before they even began.
And in the rare instances the Norwegians did camp in the Serbian half, Stojković had 10 players behind the ball in two compact and narrow lines.
Even the two Dušan’s — Vlahović and Tadić — were disciplined enough to play their part, making it nigh impossible for Norway to create any meaningful chances.
All the pieces coming together
So I mentioned Tadić’s key role in setting up chances, Ilić’s ability to hound the opposition, plus his movement and Vlahović’s willingness to track back and help the defence.
All those aspects came together in Serbia’s second goal. Truly a team effort.
Conclusion
If the match against Norway proved anything, it’s that Serbia is slowly but surely building a winning mentality. With Stojković’s supreme confidence and a boatload of former U19 and U20 European and World Champions in his squad, there is a strong foundation.
This match also proved that Serbia has depth, even in key positions, like central midfield.
Add the fantastic atmosphere within the squad and the willingness to fight for each other, and you get a team that is going through a beautiful process. Wherever it leads to in Qatar, one thing is sure: the future is bright.
