Serbian football figure Savo Milosevic, a former Rubin Kazan player who represented Yugoslavia and Serbia, and who once coached Partizan, shared his anticipations for the Serbian national team ahead of the 2022 World Cup. He admitted he was not ready to offer precise projections. Milosevic also drew parallels between the Serbian and Russian teams, noting common challenges in forecasting outcomes at the sport’s highest level.
Milosevic pointed out a shared trait between the two squads: both teams carry unpredictable trajectories. He recalled Serbia’s strong qualifying campaign, acknowledging the difficulty while highlighting a standout moment when the team defeated Portugal away in the final qualifying match with a 2-1 scoreline. He described that performance as perhaps the best in the last decade, a testament to the team’s potential when at its best.
A key factor in beating Portugal, Milosevic argued, is the high quality required to topple that opponent. He expressed hopeful expectations for the World Cup, yet he refrained from making any definitive predictions at that time. Milosevic also reflected on his friendship with Dragan Stojkovic, the Serbian head coach, noting their shared history as teammates, and he emphasized the importance for players to leave everything on the field to maximize their impact.
When asked to speculate about the Russian team’s prospects if it qualified for the tournament, Milosevic chosen not to speculate on outcomes. He conveyed optimism about Russia’s chances to participate in future world championships, suggesting that such participation would open doors to better opportunities and a clearer assessment of their level. Milosevic also commented on the broader state of Russian football and sport, asserting that it is difficult to gauge their current condition amid wider political tensions and underscoring the desire for sport to be kept separate from politics.
Milosevic later reflected on his coaching journey and the lessons learned along the way, underscoring the delicate balance between preparation, talent, and morale in international competition. The comments were presented as insights from a figure who has experienced the pressures of national team duties and the evolving dynamics of European football, and they were reported by various sports outlets and analysts who monitor the Serbian team’s development and its broader regional context.