“For many, the match was over, but for us it was not” – Stojković after last-gasp equaliser gets point for Serbia

Dragan Stojković was full of pride in his team’s performance in his post-match press conference today after Luka Jović’s header snatched them a point in the dying seconds.

They had been trailing to Slovenia since Žan Karničnik’s goal in the 69th minute and failed to convert numerous chances, leaving it until the last touch of the game to put the ball in the net.

“The Serbs do not die so easily. We do not give up,” Stojković told reporters after the game. “We believe all the way to the end and the result came as a reward for believing.

“For many, the match was over, but for us it was not.”

The manager admitted the match was “very difficult”, saying: “We created so many chances but simply could not score for more than 90 minutes. But we didn’t stop, we didn’t want to accept losing to Slovenia, and it paid off in the end.

“Our stats are much better, from chances created to shots on target. But goals are the one thing that counts. It is important that we secured that draw, even though the starting line-up shows that our idea was to win and to score goals – to play attractive, attacking football.”

The manager’s substitutions paid off for his team, who struggled to stamp their mark on the game initially.

“I’m not sure how (Aleksandar)Mitrović’s chances didn’t turn into a goal, usually he resolves that very easily.”

“We can be very happy and satisfied with the substitutions and the refreshment that we brought into the pitch; we have managed to become well balanced and quiet, and wait for our chance.”

No sub was more impactful than Luka Jović, who of course scored the dramatic equaliser. Asked about the striker, Stojković said: “Jović is an amazing player. I am very happy with his performance. With just a little space, he can be so dangerous. I am glad that he scored, for the team and his own confidence.

“I think Luka Jović is a player, a calibre of striker, that can turn any opportunity into a goal.”

He reflected on his team’s early difficulties in the match that stemmed partly from having three forwards, leaving Slovenia’s fullbacks with too much freedom at times.

“It was difficult for the midfielders to cover the space and to cover the players also. So that’s why in the second half we changed our tactics, and I asked Vlahović and Tadić to come back to support the midfielders. It was much, much better second half.”

Ultimately, he said: “This is a result that keeps us in the game and we are definitely looking forward to the last match.”

Serbia now go into their final game against Denmark with one point, their hopes of qualification for the round of 16 slim but just about alive.

See how Slovenia’s manager Matjaž Kek reacted, and follow all the action from EURO2024, here on FromTheSpot.