Serbia at Wembley – Paunović's start in an (im)possible mission

Two rounds before the end of the cycle, England has already secured first place in the group and direct qualification, while Serbia, under new coach Veljko Paunović, is looking for a way to stay in the running for the playoffs—a task that is practically impossible without a sensational triumph in London.

The situation is clear: to remain in contention, Serbia must achieve what seems impossible—defeat England on their home turf.

Any other result leaves the "Eagles" outside realistic playoff chances and extends the period of major missed opportunities in Serbian football.

Paunović has accepted this challenge at a time when the national team is facing both psychological and results-related deficits.

In his initial statements, Paunović emphasized that he wants "discipline, organization, and clear roles," stressing that Serbia must not appear intimidated at Wembley and must show character.

His first squad list included several expected names, but also hinted at an attempt to refresh the approach.

Based on signals from the Serbian camp, the new coach is expected to set up the team in a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 formation, marking a clear departure from the previous system with three center-backs.

Paunović’s plan is simple but difficult to execute: Serbia must remain compact, sit deep, stay disciplined without the ball, and be ready to exploit every transition or set-piece opportunity.

England dominates in possession, width, and speed—so the Serbian defense will need to deliver an almost perfect performance.

 

On the other side, although England has already secured its World Cup spot, coach Thomas Tuchel made it clear that there will be no rotation or lax approach.

Tuchel emphasized that his team will not "lower its standards."

"We have already qualified, but that shouldn’t affect us because we play for ourselves," he said, leaving no room for speculation about the host’s approach.

He also stressed that "there’s no time for experimentation," and England is entering the match against Serbia with maximum seriousness, especially anticipating extra energy and motivation from their opponents, who come with a new coach and one last chance to stay in the race.

In this qualifying cycle, England has played several very convincing matches, including a series of clean sheets—and in London, the goal is to maintain rhythm and cohesion ahead of the final phase of qualifiers and preparations for the World Cup.

What will decide the Serbia – England match?

FSS

The outcome of the match will most likely depend on several key factors.

The first 20 minutes – Serbia must survive England’s initial pressure and avoid conceding an early goal.

The "Eagles" must not allow Vlahović to be cut off from the rest of the team, ensuring he receives the ball and actively participates in play.

Every set piece for Serbia represents a scoring opportunity, and every transition could lead to a goal. There is no room for mistakes – against a team like England, a single error often results in conceding a goal.

 

 

Serbia steps onto Wembley facing an almost impossible mission – to beat England when it is least expected.

Paunović brings new energy and seeks to reset the system, while Tuchel insists on seriousness and a high tempo despite qualification already being secured.

For the "Eagles," 90 minutes lie ahead where reality and hope intertwine. Tonight, from 20:45. Well, may the better team win.