The UEFA Nations League has already delivered its first tactical headaches, and Serbia’s opening clash against Germany on October 1 will be further complicated by an injury to Kosta Nedelkovic. The 26-year-old defender, a key figure in Serbia’s defensive setup, is now out of the squad after sustaining an unspecified injury during training. Nedelkovic’s absence leaves coach Dragan Stojković with a critical decision: how to stabilize a backline that already lacks depth, particularly at the heart of defense where Strahinja Erakovic and Nikola Simic will be relied upon heavily.
Nedelkovic’s exclusion isn’t the only blow to Serbia’s preparations. The team’s depth chart is further thinned by the potential absence of Aleksa Terzic, who remains in doubt due to a lack of fitness. Terzic’s status is still under review, and his omission would force Stojković to rotate his defense even more aggressively. With Serbia’s head-to-head record against Greece tied at one win apiece, the pressure is on to secure a result that could determine their group’s trajectory. The predicted XI already reflects a cautious approach, with Lazar Samardzic and Stefan Dzodic likely to feature in midfield, but the absence of Nedelkovic could disrupt the defensive rhythm Serbia will need to counter Germany’s high pressing.
Across the channel, Germany’s squad is also navigating its own injury crisis. Kai Havertz, the Arsenal forward who had been included in Jürgen Klopp’s extended squad, is now ruled out indefinitely after suffering a muscle strain during Germany’s draw with the Netherlands. His exclusion isn’t just a loss of creative firepower—it removes a key target for midfielders like Serge Gnabry and Sergej Milinković-Savić, who will now have to adjust their playmaking roles. Meanwhile, defender Nico Schlotterbeck, a vital presence in Dortmund’s defense, has also been ruled out with an ankle ligament injury, further weakening Germany’s depth at full-back.
The tactical implications of these absences are already clear. For Serbia, the absence of Nedelkovic could force a more direct approach, with Dušan Vlahović and Luka Jović pushed higher to exploit spaces in Germany’s midfield. Stojković may also look to deploy a three-man defense with Petar Sukacev at left-back, but the lack of fitness among his options could leave gaps. Germany, meanwhile, will rely on the experience of players like Philipp Treu and David Raum to compensate for Havertz’s absence, with Gnabry and Woltemade expected to take on additional creative duties. The match promises to be a tactical chess match, with both teams forced to adapt on the fly.
With the Nations League’s format demanding consistency, these injuries could have ripple effects beyond the immediate fixtures. For Serbia, the loss of Nedelkovic and the uncertainty around Terzic’s fitness mean they’ll need to perform at an elite level to secure a win. For Germany, the absence of Havertz and Schlotterbeck underscores the fragility of their squad depth, particularly as they prepare for the return fixture against Greece. The stage is set for a clash where fitness, not just skill, will dictate the outcome.
