Slovenia vs Serbia live updates: Euro 2024 match team news ...
29' Slovenia 0-0 Serbia
Serbian body language down on the pitch is not too positive so far.
Zivkovic is the latest to gesture at his teammates, demanding that they move the ball much more quickly — he's right, too.
Serbia have been slugging and really need some rhythm to disrupt a strong Slovenia start.
28' Slovenia 0-0 Serbia
Finally, a chance for Serbia.
A nice exchange on the sideline gave Ilic a crossing opportunity and Vlahovic stole a march on his marker in the penalty area. The Juventus striker, though, had to turn a really tough chance into a scoring one. His header was good but straight at Oblak who held onto it routinely.
26' Slovenia 0-0 Serbia
Serbia are inviting a lot of pressure out of possession. They drop into a 5-4-1 shape, with Tadic filling in on the left and striker Vlahovic heading to the right wing.
Neither really want to be doing that defensive work in those areas and that's probably where Slovenia will get the most joy — with wide overlaps. So far though, they have found too many Serbian bodies in the way of their efforts on goal.
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24' Slovenia 0-0 Serbia
Serbia's team is not a bad one, particularly with a dangerous strike partnership of Mitrovic and Vlahovic. But the game has been played almost entirely in the third of the pitch behind those two in the opening 24 minutes.
Serbia have to find a way to get their two strikers into this game.
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21' Slovenia 0-0 Serbia
The Serbia supporters inside the Allianz Arena are growing increasingly frustrated.
They are watching their team get outfought, out-run and outplayed.
A moment ago, Janza curled a brilliant left-footed cross into the penalty area but none of his team-mates were there to profit as Rajkovic didn't know whether to stay or go.
It is now a case of Slovenia turning this dominance into clear chances.
17' Slovenia 0-0 Serbia
Dusan Tadic and Dusan Vlahovic have an exchange of views in the channel on the right side of the Serbian defence. The ball is being worked into that area a bit too easily at the moment, and Tadic seems to want more protection.
Nice balance to this one so far.
16' Slovenia 0-0 Serbia
Serbia are struggling to settle in these opening exchanges. They have rarely crossed half way without being dispossessed.
Slovenia have pressed smartly, with any forward pass into midfield acting as a trigger. Serbia playmaker Tadic has not really found a way to get onto the ball, and is dropping deeper in search of it.
14' Slovenia 0-0 Serbia
While Slovenia have looked sharp, Serbia have looked anything but.
They have surrendered possession in dangerous areas on several occasions already and have hardly been near the Slovenia penalty area.
Whether the Slovenians will be able to maintain their intensity remains to be seen, but Serbia have been disappointing so far.
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11' Slovenia 0-0 Serbia
A strong start for Slovenia and one that has already seen them have two shots on target.
That is the same amount as they managed in the whole 90 minutes against Denmark on Sunday — promising signs.
8' Slovenia 0-0 Serbia
Another key save from Rajkovic who keeps the scoreline level.
More good play from Slovenia saw Mlakar pick the ball up inside the penalty area and he kept his effort from the right-hand side of the box low as Rajkovic raced out of his goal to close him down.
The Serbia goalkeeper stayed cool, though and saved with his feet — turning it behind for a corner that Slovenia made a real mess of.
4' Slovenia 0-0 Serbia
Another mistake from Serbia in the middle of the park allowed Slovenia to swarm all over them.
Cerin stole the ball and raced towards the penalty area before letting fly from just outside. The strike was true, but too central and very easy for Rajkovic to make his first save of the match.
3' Slovenia 0-0 Serbia
The opening couple of minutes have been frantic.
Serbia are clearly trying to get in the faces of their opponents, but they need to stay more composed.
Their hundred-mile-an-hour pressing has already led to a couple of mistakes and they cannot really afford to go behind in this game.
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1' Slovenia 0-0 Serbia
Slovenia get the ball rolling and the second round of fixtures are underway in Group C!
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Of these two team, Serbia have the stronger squad on paper, with much better depth. Slovenia have only four players competing in Europe's top five leagues. But Matjaz Kek's side do have game-changers in key positions: Namely goalkeeper Oblak, and then Sesko in attack. They are a compact side too, built around a 4-4-2, and are hard to beat. They have only lost two of their previous 22 games in all competitions.
Serbia's 3-5-2 system will make for an interesting tactical clash — with Tadic's positioning between the lines likely key to their hopes. For Serbia, after defeat by England, this is a game they really need to win.
We touched on the six draws between these two teams a little earlier, that result today would not really suit either side...
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The players emerged onto the pitch at the Allianz Arena a minute or two ago.
Lined up either side of the match officials, they are in position for the national anthems.
Serbia's is first...
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These two sides have faced each other eight times previously and six of those matches ended as a draw with a win apiece in the other two.
Although, Serbia will be confident coming into this as no team has played as many matches at the European Championship as Slovenia without winning (four; three draws, one defeat).
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With just a point between them from the first Group C fixtures, this has the feeling of a knockout game in Munich.
That isn't necessarily the case, but both teams are likely going to need a win at some stage if they want to progress to the last 16.
It has a must-win edge for Serbia after their defeat against England, but they will fancy their chances against Denmark if they are unable to win today. Meanwhile, Slovenia will face England in their last group game so will be facing elimination if they do not beat Serbia.
Victory, particularly for Slovenia, would leave them well placed to make the knockouts.
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Let's talk about Benjamin Sesko. If you have never watched him before, know that he grew up idolising Zlatan Ibrahimovic and spent hours watching his clips online and trying to mimic his game.
A direct comparison is hardly fair, but Sesko has a similar body shape and you can certainly see the influence upon him. The consistency is not quite there yet and he has work to do outside the box if he is to become a really elite forward, but his talent is overwhelmingly clear.
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Serbia are a rocks or diamonds kind of side. At their best, goodness can they be dangerous. Whether they have enough control, or have ever really had it under Stojkovic is a different issue, though.
Obligatory comment on the atmosphere: once you battle your way into these stadiums, it's great to be inside — and both ends of the Allianz Arena are already fully packed and frothing.
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Stojkovic said there would be changes for Serbia and there is no surprise that captain Dusan Tadic returns. His omission from the lineup against England was something of a surprise, considering his creative influence in this Serbia team. Only four players created more goals than he did in qualifying.
The big miss though for Serbia is Filip Kostic, of Juventus, who sustained a knee ligament injury against England. He is one of Serbia’s best wide players and their strong frontline will suffer without his supply from out wide.
