Serbia ready to unleash Milinkovic-savic

SAMARA: Serbia will come up against one of the World Cup’s toughest defensive units in Costa Rica on Sunday but coach Mladen Krstajic will look to midfield dynamo Sergej Milinkovicsavic to unsettle the Central Americans.

Milinkovic-savic is one of the most sought after talents in Europe, whose stock will only rise if he delivers in Russia.

The Lazio man has been linked with many of Europe’s top clubs, including Manchester United and Juventus, after playing a pivotal role in the Italian side’s qualification for the Europa League.

Despite having only four caps to his name, the 23-year-old looks set to start in a midfield three with experienced pair Nemanja Matic and Luka Milivojevic in the Group E clash in Samara.

Costa Rica boast one of the most miserly defences coming into the World Cup, conceding

just eight goals in 10 qualification matches.

Their defensive organisation and resilience was also behind their historic run to the quarterfinals in 2014 and coach Oscar Ramirez will once again be looking to build from the back in Russia.

Milinkovic-savic, who scored 12 goals in Serie A last season for Lazio, will likely play behind Aleksandar Mitrovic on Sunday but Krstajic refused to put extra pressure on the pair.

“They are they are young, up and coming ambition players, who are proving themselves,