SERBIA boss Dragan Stojkovic has hit back at Dusan Tadic for criticising his team selection against England.
Tadic, 35, was surprisingly put on the bench for Sunday night’s 1-0 loss to Gareth Southgate’s side – despite being captain and doing the pre-match press conference the day before.
RexDusan Tadic was fuming not to start against England[/caption]
ReutersDragan Stojkovic was not happy with Tadic’s reaction[/caption]
The 109-cap midfielder did not take kindly to it either, telling reporters: “The coach explained the decision to me. Of course, I don’t agree but I have to respect him.
“I am the most prepared and the best player in the team.
“That’s what I told the coach.”
Asked about the ex-Southampton man’s comments, Stojkovic said: “That’s not nice if he said that. That’s not good what he said.
“That was my decision due to tactical reasons. I wanted to have Tadic with fresh legs in the second half. It’s about the tactics, nothing else.
“Can he start the match? Of course he can. But I took the decisions and I am the one who is holding the position that I’m holding.”
Tadić did come off the bench in the second half but could not prevent Serbia from losing, with man-of-the-match Jude Bellingham scoring the only goal of the game after 13 minutes.
The Balkans side also suffered a blow when former West Ham target Filip Kostic, 31, came off with suspected ligament damage.
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Stojkovic added: “He will go do all the medical check-ups. He has felt pain in his external part of the knee.
“I believe that ligaments are in question but I cannot say something with certainty as we’re not sure. He has ice on his knees.
“We will know more (on Monday).
“I think he got that in the clash with Bellingham or Walker.”
Serbia are back in action against Slovenia on Thursday and are currently bottom of Group C.
Slovenia drew their opening game against Denmark 1-1 after Erik Janza’s goal cancelled out Christian Eriksen’s opener.
How England rated vs Serbia… as Bellingham shines but TWO big names get 5s
JUDE BELLINGHAM was England’s head boy as Gareth Southgate’s side made a winning start in Germany.
The Real Madrid superstar oozed class throughout and broke the deadlock with only 13 minutes played thanks to an excellent header, dispatching Bukayo Saka’s deflected cross.
But, despite the brilliant start, it was a nervy affair here in Gelsenkirchen.
Serbia exerted significant pressure in the second half, with a few narrow escapes for Southgate’s men.
Harry Kane barely had a kick and the Premier League’s player of the year Phil Foden struggled to have any influence on the left of the Three Lions’ front three.
Here’s how SunSport’s Tom Barclay rated England’s stars… with TWO stars getting just a 5.