AI-written editorial preview · updated 2026-09-23 10:25 UTC
Serbia and Greece open Nations League campaign in Belgrade
Serbia and Greece begin their UEFA Nations League A Group 2 journey this Thursday, looking to set an early tone in a competitive pool. The match takes place at the Stadion Rajko Mitic, with kick-off scheduled for 20:45 CET.
Both nations enter this opening matchday with a desire to recalibrate after challenging spells in their respective recent qualifying campaigns. For Serbia, the atmosphere at the Stadion Rajko Mitic will be vital as they look to move past a difficult run of friendly results earlier this summer. The hosts will be eager to leverage home support to secure a positive start against a disciplined Greek side.
Serbia faces a significant hurdle in their attacking setup, with Dusan Vlahovic ruled out due to injury. The expected XI, spearheaded by Luka Jovic and supported by the creative instincts of Dusan Tadic and Lazar Samardzic, will need to find cohesion quickly to break down a resilient Greek backline. Defensively, the absence of Nikola Milenkovic forces a reshuffle, placing added responsibility on Strahinja Pavlovic and his defensive partners to protect Vanja Milinkovic-Savic.
Greece arrives in Belgrade with a squad focused on collective work rate and tactical discipline. Vangelis Pavlidis remains the focal point of their attack, and his ability to link play with wingers like Christos Tzolis will be a primary concern for the Serbian defence. Having shown grit in recent draws against Sweden and Hungary, the visitors will look to exploit any defensive gaps left by their hosts.
In a group of this calibre, every point is a precious commodity, and both sides are well aware that a strong start is essential for their long-term prospects. Serbia has shown an ability to dig deep, having turned around three matches from losing positions in their last 10 outings, a trait that could prove decisive if the game becomes a tight contest. For Greece, maintaining defensive concentration throughout the 90 minutes will be the priority as they aim to silence the home crowd.
While meetings between these two nations have been rare in recent years, their history is marked by narrow margins, such as Serbia's 2-0 friendly win in 2014. Both teams enter the match with notable absences; beyond the Serbian defensive and attacking concerns, Greece must manage without the injured Pantelis Hatzidiakos. As the expected lineups suggest, both managers are likely to field balanced sides as they look to navigate the early stages of this tournament.
Serbia GreeceConfirmed by FIFA officials.
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