Serbia National Team Expands Call-Ups for Moscow Friendly Against Russia
The Serbia national football team has announced an expanded roster for the upcoming friendly against Russia on March 21 in Moscow. Four players from Russian Premier League clubs are included in the extended squad. Among them are Milan Gajic and Sasa Zdelar of CSKA, and Strahinja Erakovic and Srdjan Babic of Zenit. This mix highlights the ongoing exchange of talent across leagues as Serbia prepares for the international match.
The expanded list also features goalkeeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic from Turin, Nikola Milenkovic of Fiorentina, Jan Carlo Simic from Milan, Matija Nastasic of Mallorca, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic from Al-Hilal, and Dusan Tadic along with Aleksandar from Fenerbahce. Mitrovic remains included, and the roster also references Daniel Vlahovic from Juventus and Miroslav Al-Hilal in a broader context of players often associated with top European clubs. The selection underscores Serbia’s depth and the strategic choices made to balance foreign league play with national duty.
Following the Moscow match, Serbia is scheduled to face Cyprus on March 25. The Russian side will take on Paraguay in a separate fixture, continuing international play for both teams in the spring schedule.
Historically, the spring of 2022 marked a pivotal moment when the International Federation of Football Associations and the Union of European Football Associations decided to suspend participation by Russia in all competitions under their control. This suspension affected both the national team and Russian clubs, shaping the landscape of international play for the ensuing period.
The Russian national team’s absence from major qualifiers also meant it missed the 2022 World Cup play-offs and faced ongoing restrictions ahead of future European Championships. This context explains the notable shift in competitive opportunities for Russian players and the broader implications for the national program.
During the lead-up to the match, there were also reports of national anthems and pre-match ceremonies, which reflected the formal atmosphere surrounding friendlies of this scale. The event is watched closely by fans and analysts who track changes in rosters, coaching decisions, and the overall readiness of both teams for upcoming fixtures.