Serbian defender Strahinja Pavlovic has highlighted England’s major flaw which his side hope to take advantage of in their Euro 2024 group-stage opener.
As England look to get their Euros campaign off to a winning start Gareth Southgate’s side will have to banish memories from a disheartening 1-0 defeat to Iceland in their final warm-up match.
Serbia, meanwhile, will hope to spoil the party and the Red Ball Salzburg centre-back Pavlovic believes Iceland have given his side the perfect blueprint as to how to upset the odds in Gelsenkirchen on Sunday.
‘I would attack the English. I would go up there and try to press them. Everyone has flaws, even the English,’ he said.
‘We saw how organised Iceland were able to threaten and defeat them. We are analysing everything and will prepare well.
‘We have a difficult group. England have one of the best teams in the European Championship so the first game will be very difficult, But we have to prepare the best. Let’s go for a positive result.’
England’s defensive fragility has been heightened after injury woes forced Southgate to omit Manchester United centre-back Harry Maguire from his final 26-man squad.
Full-back Luke Shaw is unlikely to be fit for Sunday’s opener, while John Stones missed training on Wednesday due to illness.
England, though, will be buoyed by the return of several key players to training – including Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham – ahead of their tournament opener.
And Pavlovic is under no illusions as to the task awaiting him and his fellow Serbian defenders as they look to contain England’s attacking threat.
‘They have a lot of quality players, especially in attack. They score a lot of goals, they have outstanding players. It is their strongest weapon,’ he admitted.
‘Kane is an incredible player who had a great season, but if you want to stop such a player, you have to do it as a team. All together.
“There’s also Jude Bellingham. He had a great season and is in top form. We have to be a team to do our best to stop these players.’
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