Aleksandar Mitrovic insists he’s ready to blast Serbia to the World Cup – after saying he accepts Rafa Benitez’s decision not to include him in the matchday squad for the Liverpool game.
Mitrovic is back from a three-game domestic suspension but didn’t even make the bench on Sunday. His woes for Newcastle contrast starkly with his experience for Serbia, who need only one win from their final two games to secure a place at the finals in Russia in the summer. They head to Vienna on Friday to play Austria before a home game against Georgia on Monday.
Mitrovic was on press duties for Serbia alongside goalkeeper Vladimir Stojkovic and when the striker was asked why he didn’t play, his compatriot butted in.
“He had little problems – ‘Mitro’ didn’t play because he was naughty!” he joked.
Mitrovic was a bit more reserved, explaining his absence like this: “I was punished for three games and the team did not play badly during this time so I stayed on the bench – which was the coaches’ decision. I am ready physically and mentally and I can’t wait for the match in Vienna.”
Serbia’s group has been one of the most competitive of the European qualifiers and is nicely poised going into the final two rounds of games.
Austria have only a slim hope of reaching the play-offs but Wales and Ireland look set to compete for second place if Serbia get the win they require. Wales travel to Georgia while Ireland host Moldova – and then the countries meet in Cardiff on Monday in what is almost certain to be a winner-takes-it-all match.
Serbia have been the dominant side in the group but Mitrovic is taking nothing for granted. “There is no difference in the preparation of matches.
“We enter the game against Austria with the desire to win. We know where we stand and while see the euphoria (of possibly qualifying for the World Cup) around us we will not allow it to reflect on the result in Vienna.
“It would be a good idea to secure the World Cup place after this match.”
Mitrovic says that Serbia’s qualification for the World Cup would illustrate their revival following a disastrous Euros campaign. “We started from scratch after those unsuccessful qualifications for the European Championship,” he says.
“The new manager Muslin came in a new system was introduced and some new players arrived. As the games have gone along we are getting better and more energetic. Now this team is right: we are full of confidence and everyone knows what he should do, starting with goalkeeper Stojkovic, to me and the players on the bench. We did something good out of nothing.”