What would a modern-day Yugoslavia XI look like?
Balkan brilliance! Real Madrid legend Luka Modric, coveted centre-back Josko Gvardiol and top keeper Jan Oblak all hail from the region… so would a modern-day Yugoslavia XI be world beaters?
- Between 1918 and 1992, the region east of the Adriatic Sea was called Yugoslavia
- Yugoslavia achieved semi-final finishes in the World Cups of 1930 and 1962
- Sportsmail takes a look at how a modern-day Yugoslavia XI would line up today
From top-class players such as Luka Modric and Ivan Perisic to Croatia’s run all the way to the 2018 World Cup final, the Balkans are unquestionably a hotbed for footballing talent.
Between 1918 and 1992, the region east of the Adriatic Sea was a country called Yugoslavia.
Although the country never managed to win a major trophy, Yugoslavia achieved semi-final finishes in the World Cups of 1930 and 1962 and were European Championship Runners-up in 1960 and 1968.
The country no longer exists and was dissolved into Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Slovenia, Montenegro and North Macedonia.
Sportsmail takes a look at how a modern-day Yugoslavia XI would lineup today.
Luka Modric, 36, is a legendary figure with Real Madrid, having won 21 trophies at the club, including five Champions League titles
Tottenham winger Ivan Perisic, 34, was a key cog in the Croatia side that finished second and third at consecutive World Cups
GK: Jan Oblak (Slovenia, Atletico Madrid)
Atletico Madrid and Slovenia’s Jan Oblak, 30, is widely regarded as one of the standout shot-stoppers in world football.
He has frequently impressed and possesses much experience of playing in the Champions League.
Since joining the club in 2014, Oblak has won LaLiga and the Europa League during a hugely successful period.
In the summer he signed a new deal with Atletico that is set to run until the end of June 2028.
CB: Stefan Savic (Montenegro, Atletico Madrid)
Despite struggling at Manchester City, Stefan Savic, 32, has a Premier League winners’ medal to show for his time at the Etihad.
He’s had a decent career since – winning La Liga and the Europa League with Atletico Madrid.
Savic was heavily involved in the late 22-man brawl at the end of the Champions League semi-final last year, dragging Phil Foden off the pitch, head-butting Raheem Sterling and pulling Jack Grealish’s hair.
CB: Josko Gvardiol (Croatia, RB Leipzig)
The 6ft 1in centre-half, 21, shone at the World Cup in the Croatia team that reached the semi-finals.
Gvardiol joined RB Leipzig from Dinamo Zagreb for around £14million in September 2020, having previously been linked with Leeds, in a deal that made him the most expensive Croatian teenager ever.
He remained on loan at Dinamo for the rest of that season before linking up with Leipzig full-time.
Gvardiol quickly established himself in the Leipzig team, developed impressively and played almost 50 games during 2021/22, helping Domenico Tedesco’s side finish fourth in the Bundesliga, win the German Cup and reach the Europa League semi-finals.
CB: Nikola Milenkovic (Serbia, Fiorentina)
The Serbian international and highly-rated 6ft 5in defender Nikola Milenkovic, 25, joined Fiorentina on a free transfer from Partizan Belgrade in 2017.
Milenkovic, who can also play at right back, is tall, strong and good on the ball.
Atletico Madrid and Slovenia’s Jan Oblak, 30, is widely regarded as one of the standout shot-stoppers in world football
Despite struggling at Manchester City, Stefan Savic, 32, has a Premier League winners’ medal to show for his time at the Etihad
Six-foot-one centre Josko Gvardiol, 21, shone at the World Cup in the Croatia team that reached the semi-finals
The Serbian international and highly-rated 6ft 5 defender Nikola Milenkovic, 25, joined Fiorentina on a free transfer from Partizan Belgrade in 2017
CM: Mateo Kovacic (Croatia, Chelsea)
The Croatian midfielder Mateo Kovacic, 28, has established himself as one of the most important players in the Chelsea side since Graham Potter succeeded Thomas Tuchel as manager.
Kovacic joined Chelsea initially on loan in 2018 before going on to make the permanent switch to Stamford Bridge a year later.
He has managed to settle in London alongside his wife Izabel Andrijanić and in 2020 they had their first child together, a boy named Ivan.
CM: Luka Modric (Croatia, Real Madrid) (C)
Luka Modric, 36, is a legendary figure with Real Madrid, having won 21 trophies at the club, including five Champions League titles.
Modric has been a talismanic figure in Croatia’s success at major tournaments over recent years.
In total, Modric has won 162 caps for Croatia and was integral in their run to the World Cup final in 2018 and their third-place finish at the 2022 tournament.
Modric has previously said he will play for his country for as long as they require him and the midfielder has already confirmed to Croatia boss Zlatko Dalic that he will feature at the Nations League finals in the summer.
RM: Dusan Tadic (Serbia, Ajax)
The Serbia international and Ajax star Dusan Tadic, 34, was snapped up by the Dutch side for just £11million after being cast aside by Southampton.
The winger played a starring role as Ajax dazzled Europe to reached the Champions League semi-finals in 2019.
LM: Ivan Perisic (Croatia, Tottenham Hotspur)
Tottenham winger Ivan Perisic, 34, was a key cog in the Croatia side that finished second and third at consecutive World Cups.
He has played 123 games for his country and enjoyed a fruitful club career that has brought him three league titles and a Champions League.
AM: Sergej Milinkovic-Savic (Serbia, Lazio)
Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, 27, has been an integral part of Lazio’s midfield during his eight years at the club.
In recent years, Milinkovic-Savic has been named Lazio Player of the Season and Serie A Best Midfielder.
The Croatian midfielder Mateo Kovacic, 28, has established himself as one of the most important players in the Chelsea side
The Serbia international and Ajax star Dusan Tadic, 34, was snapped up by the Dutch side for just £11million after being cast aside by Southampton
Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, 27, has been an integral part of Lazio’s midfield during his eight years at the club
ST: Dusan Vlahovic (Serbia, Juventus)
Juventus star Dusan Vlahovic, 23, represented Serbia at the World Cup and notched in their 3-2 defeat to Switzerland as they crashed out at the group stages of the tournament in Qatar.
The Serbian moved to Serie A from Partizan Belgrade in 2017 and made his breakthrough in the 2020-21 season, where he scored 21 goals for Fiorentina.
He followed that up with another 20 goals in the first half of the following campaign, prompting Juventus to snap up the forward.
ST: Edin Dzeko (Bosnia, Inter Milan)
Inter Milan striker Edin Dzeko, 36, joined Roma in August 2015 and spent six years in the Eternal City before switching to Milan.
The Bosnian international has been prolific in Serie A and helped Inter win the Suppercoppa Italiana.
Juventus star Dusan Vlahovic, 23, represented Serbia at the World Cup and notched in their 3-2 defeat to Switzerland
Inter Milan striker Edin Dzeko, 36, joined Roma in August 2015 and spent six years in the Eternal City before switching to Milan
Yugoslavia XI lineup today:
Formation: 3-5-2
GK: Jan Oblak (Slovenia, Atletico Madrid)
CB: Stefan Savic (Montenegro, Atletico Madrid)
CB: Josko Gvardiol (Croatia, RB Leipzig)
CB: Nikola Milenkovic (Serbia, Fiorentina)
CM: Mateo Kovacic (Croatia, Chelsea)
CM: Luka Modric (Croatia, Real Madrid) (C)
RM: Dusan Tadic (Serbia, Ajax)
LM: Ivan Perisic (Croatia, Tottenham Hotspur)
AM: Sergej Milinkovic-Savic (Serbia, Lazio)
ST: Dusan Vlahovic (Serbia, Juventus)
ST: Edin Dzeko (Bosnia, Inter Milan)
Source: Read Full Article