In the regime of Gareth Southgate - England doesn't experience opening match shocks. They win but keep hinting that the team needs to improve more temperamentally.
The build-up was intense and the nervous energy was palpable. Jude Bellingham got the header to calm the impulses and England started to get into the groove.
Dragan Stojkovic went with his main strikers, Aleksandar Mitrovic and Dusan Vlahovic while Dusan Tadic was on the bench.
The manager asked the latter to drop to the right of a midfield four out of possession, in front of a back five.
The idea was to create two solid red walls.
Serbia were physical, leaving plenty on England in the challenges.
Bellingham felt a few in the first half but it only seemed to fire him further up. He was in the mood and decorated the first half with some wonderful moments - obviously, Real Madrid helped develop such characters.
Serbia remained compact but bodies were not thrown forward with intent to challenge Jordan Pickford. But when they did advance, the resilience of the English defence was tested.
The English resilience won and no late drama took place.
Still, a long way to go!
Note: Excerpts from the The Guardian
Thank You
Faisal Caesar
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