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– In the Austrian party, it felt like a «blockade». I can only explain it mentally. We became cautious and passive. That’s what you need to eliminate, says national team manager Lars Lagerbäck.
The Swede was undefeated at Ullevaal when Austria punished a toothless home team. Norway went from a completely different side to Northern Ireland just a few days later.
Now Serbia awaits what is the most important international match in five years.
Serbia has left behind a far from convincing career, where both Russia (3-1 loss away) and Turkey (0-0 home) were the leading teams.
In fact, Serbia have conceded 19 goals in the last ten games, including doubles against Luxembourg and Lithuania.
At the same time, it is now For real applies. And that is exactly the reason why Zajic keeps a little button on Serbia.
Stubborn and proud
Zajic, who won two international matches for Serbia, knows Norway and Serbia well after playing for Vålerenga, Sarpsborg 08 and Sandnes Ulf from 2007 to 2017.
15 of the Serbian players on the team against Norway participated in the World Cup in 2018. Where it has been 20 years since Norway last qualified for a championship (CE), Serbia has qualified for three World Cups.
– Serbia has many who have played the World Cup and the U20 World Cup. They have experience in these games. They are mentally strong in such battles. We are often stubborn and proud as people, and we want to improve in such battles, says Zajic.
IN ACTION: This week, Bojan Zajic returned to Sandnes Ulf as an assistant coach.
Photo: Erik Waage / NRK
Lagerbäck described the weak match against Austria as a “wake-up call” when he introduced the team against Serbia.
Serbia will punish such an attitude.
– We have discussed it when we have passed through the team. Very experienced players come. They know what it’s about. They have been at that level, Lagerbäck tells NRK.
Sheffield United player Sander Berge also highlights mental focus as a key factor.
– That is probably the biggest difference in big games. It’s about rising to the occasion as a team and individually. It’s about doing simple good and living off the experiences you have as a team and players, says Berge.
– Don’t be afraid of anyone
In Serbia, recent matches have caused concern and coach Ljubisa Tumbakovic had to endure questions about his own future should he lose to Norway.
This dismissed the coach with the fact that one cannot think about what is going on. whose one fails.
Subsequently, the manager was also asked if he was more concerned about his own team or the Norwegian.
– I’m scared? No. Like I said in town … My God, this is a sport. I will do everything in the most professional way to get results, reach the goal. But if someone else won’t let me do it, if it’s better, what should I do? We are not afraid of anyone. This team has its strength, we are more experienced and more complete after the month that we have left behind. We will try everything through the strategy we have. We will not leave anything to chance, Tumbakovic said at Monday’s press conference.
Believes Norway’s chances increased
Tumbakovic was asked several questions about individual players like Ødegaard and Haaland, but he was quick to highlight Norway as a team.
Ødegaard (1998), Haaland (2000), Kristoffer Ajer (1998) and Sander Berge (1998) are part of the forward-thinking Norwegian generation.
Zajic also points out that Norway has enormous potential, but thinks it will take time before. done remains at its best.
– There is only one mistake that the party can decide. Norway have a young team, there is a lot of pressure and I think there is a reason why Serbia has an advantage here, says Zajic.
However, Zajic believes that the settlement is much more open now than it would have been in March.
Half a year ago, Serbia was a clear favorite, Zajic believes.
– Six months is a lot for young players. Although it sounds small, they have evolved and improved their shape. They have shown that in the club’s teams, says the 40-year-old.
