The Serbian defence will be put to the test tonight at 20:00 CEST. Brazil have enormous attacking quality with Neymar and Philippe Coutinho leading the pack. What will your game plan be, Milos? “We need to stand strong defensively and can’t give them any room to play freely”, explained the 22-year-old, “We need to be courageous, to force chances and score goals!”
Serbia have already displayed their potential during the 1-0 win over Costa Rica and the 2-1 last-minute loss to Switzerland. “We were very unlucky against the Swiss. We were perhaps too attacking in the final phase of the game, because we were intent on victory”, admitted the central defender. “After the Costa Rica game, we wanted to ensure we booked our place in the knockout phase, so as to avoid any pressure when it came to playing Brazil. But now we have to give it everything.”
Veljkovic himself stayed on the bench during both games. Yet Milos is keen to prove his worth in the team. “Of course I want to play”, he clarified. Werder’s number 13 is not overtly satisfied with his role. “No one is happy not to play. I really want some minutes under my belt and hope I’ll get the chance”, said Veljkovic, who nevertheless remains realistic: “I need to be patient. At the end of the day, I’m new to the national team.”