Special for the Armenian Weekly
Following an away loss to Denmark in Copenhagen in the opening round of the Euro 2016 qualifying matches held last month, Armenia now prepares to welcome Serbia to the Republican Stadium in Yerevan on Sat., Oct. 11. The Serbian team has yet to play a competitive fixture in this campaign, having recorded a 1:1 draw with tournament hosts France in a friendly match held in Belgrade. That match was their first under new manager Dick Advocaat, the well-traveled, vastly experienced, and greatly respected Dutch coach who has a proven track record of qualifying for major tournaments. Advocaat’s opener was fair in his estimation, as his side defended well, limited chances on the defensive end, but lacked imagination in the attacking third. Having brought the Netherlands, South Korea, and Russia to major tournaments previously, Advocaat will be looking to continue that success with Serbia, a team that has failed to qualify for the last two major tournaments despite boasting a squad of players that play at the highest levels around Europe.
The Armenian National Team (Photo courtesy of www.ffa.am)
The Armenian team is struggling with injuries to key squad members. Spartak Moscow teammates Movsisyan and Özbiliz, and midfield talisman Henrikh Mkhitaryan, are all absent from the squad, and although Gevorg Ghazaryan and Hrayr Mkoyan were invited to join the team, neither are expected to play a part against Serbia through injury. This leaves Challandes with a serious headache in the run up to his first competitive home fixture. In addition to the obvious absentees up front, with Mkoyan also questionable, the decision to continue with three central defenders or to return to a conventional back four is one Challandes will need to consider. He will know it is important to protect home soil if qualification is to be attained. The opening day loss to Denmark, having held a second-half lead, only serves to heap more pressure on the coach and the players that will step in to fill the breach.
Players like Manucharyan, Pizzelli, and Sarkisov, who’ve gained experience in Armenia’s previous campaigns, will all have a role to play. Whether it is on the pitch or in the training camp leading up to Saturday’s match, it is important that the veterans contribute, lead by example, and serve as a calming influence on the younger, less experienced members of the team. A solid game plan, with an emphasis on defensive shape and sharpness in front of goal, will be a prerequisite for Armenia. Add to that flawless execution of the plan on the pitch on Saturday and Armenia should be able to get on the board. Three points or a single point will do, but avoiding defeat at home will be paramount.
Serbia played with a 4-2-3-1 formation against France last time out. We know Matić will most likely marshal the defensive midfield role just as he does for his club Chelsea. This will allow Southampton’s new signing Tadić the freedom to create from advanced positions and link up with Lazio’s Đorđević, a player who is fresh off of a hatrick performance in Serie A. Đorđević is a left-sided attacker, and each of his hatrick goals came from his sweet left foot. Armenian defenders will need to be mindful of this and try to keep him on his right side throughout the match. Liverpool winger Marković will add danger on the left flank, supported by Kolarov who is known for his marauding overlapping runs into the attacking third. All of these players spell danger for Armenia, but the Serbian outfit is not without their question marks either.
Dick Advocaat has expressed concern that 50 percent of his squad plays limited minutes on a regular basis at their club teams. One example of this is Matija Nastasić at Manchester City. Perhaps it is modern-day squad rotation, or perhaps he is in fact down the pecking order at the club, but Nastasić’s form in training camp may determine if he plays in the center of defense for Serbia or if the versatile Branoslav Ivanovic is moved in from the right back position, a decision that would help in one area, but detract from another.
One other way Advocaat is putting his stamp on his new team is by omitting players he feels are a disruption to the squad. Borussia Dortmund’s Nevan Subotić and AS Roma’s Adem Ljajic fall into that category. Both talented players, but both left out by Advocaat due to “attitude problems.” Just as those players were left out, Advocaat has included Danko Lazović of Partizan Belgrade, citing his terrific work ethic and attitude towards a recent Europa League performance.
Interestingly enough, after taking up the Serbian managerial post, Advocaat described Serbia as a team that knew how to play, but didn’t necessarily know how to win. That description could also apply to Armenia, case in point being its failure to secure a point in Copenhagen having held a second-half lead. At some stage that pattern needs to change. Armenia has been playing well of late without getting the results it deserves. In qualifying, points are all that matter. Whether they come in threes or ones, the important thing is to get them on the board, and to do so quickly.
Following Saturday’s match, Armenia hosts France in a friendly and Serbia returns to Belgrade to host Albania, both fixtures taking place on Tues., Oct 14.
Armenia squad
Berezovsky, Kasparov, Beglaryan, Hambardzumyan, Airapetian, Mkoyan, Arzumanyan, Haroyan, Voskanyan, Hovhannisyan, Alex da Silva, Mkrtchyan, Manucharyan, Ghazaryan, Aslanyan, Hovsepyan, Artur Yedigaryan, Dashyan, Pizzelli, Badoyan, Simonyan, Voskanyan, Sarkisov, Miranyan, Karapetyan
Coach: Challandes
Serbia squad
Stojković, Brkić, Rajković, Ivanović, Tomović, Nastasić, D. Tošić, Maksimović, Mitrović, Z. Tošić, Kuzmanović, Petrović, Tadić, Đuričić, Marković, Matić, Ignjovski, Gudelj, Jojić, Lazović, Đorđević, Mitrović
Coach: Advocaat
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