#WC2018: Battling Swiss unchanged for Serbia showdown
KALININGRAD, Russia (AFP) — Switzerland coach Vladimir Petkovic named an unchanged side for Friday's Group E match against Serbia after his side earned a creditable draw with five-time winners Brazil in their World Cup opener.
Serbia, who won their first game against Costa Rica thanks to a stunning free-kick from captain Aleksandar Kolarov, made one change for the match in Kaliningrad, with winger Adem Ljajic making way for Hamburg's Filip Kostic.
Valon Behrami, who marshalled Brazil's star forward Neymar for much of the night in Rostov-on-Don, was fit enough to start after recovering from a hamstring niggle.
He will likely be charged with negating the threat from Serbia's rising star, Lazio midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic.
The rangy playmaker has drawn comparisons to Serbian legend Dejan Stankovic and has reportedly attracted the interest of Spanish giants Real Madrid.
Serbia
Vladimir Stojkovic; Branislav Ivanovic, Nikola Milenkovic, Dusko Tosic, Aleksandar Kolarov; Dusan Tadic, Nemanja Matic, Luka Milivojevic, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, Filip Kostic; Aleksandar Mitrovic
Coach: Mladen Krstajic (SRB)
Switzerland
Yann Sommer; Stephan Lichtsteiner, Fabian Schaer, Manuel Akanji, Ricardo Rodriguez; Xherdan Shaqiri, Valon Behrami, Granit Xhaka, Blerim Dzemaili, Steven Zuber; Haris Seferovic Coach: Vladimir Petkovic (SUI)
Referee: Felix Brych (GER)
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