Switzerland coach Vladimir Petkovic named an unchanged side for Friday’s Group E match against Serbia after his side earned a creditable draw with five-time winners Brazil in their World Cup opener.
Serbia, who won their first game against Costa Rica thanks to a stunning free-kick from captain Aleksandar Kolarov, made one change for the match in Kaliningrad, with- winger Adem Ljajic making way for Hamburg’s Filip Kostic.
Valon Behrami, who marshalled Brazil’s star forward Neymar for much of the night in Rostov-on-Don, was fit enough to start after recovering from a hamstring niggle.
He will likely be charged with negating the threat from Serbia’s rising star, Lazio midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic.
The rangy playmaker has drawn comparisons to Serbian legend Dejan Stankovic and has reportedly attracted the interest of Spanish giants Real Madrid.
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Serbia
Vladimir Stojkovic; Branislav Ivanovic, Nikola Milenkovic, Dusko Tosic, Aleksandar Kolarov; Dusan Tadic, Nemanja Matic, Luka Milivojevic, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, Filip Kostic; Aleksandar Mitrovic
Coach: Mladen Krstajic (SRB)
Switzerland
Yann Sommer; Stephan Lichtsteiner, Fabian Schaer, Manuel Akanji, Ricardo Rodriguez; Xherdan Shaqiri, Valon Behrami, Granit Xhaka, Blerim Dzemaili, Steven Zuber; Haris Seferovic
Coach: Vladimir Petkovic (SUI)
Referee: Felix Brych (GER)
(AFP)
