Strahinja Pavlović

Written by Uros Jovicic for Nedeljnik:

Back in January the Serbian media were sure Strahinja Pavlovic would be heading to the Premier League with a move to Brighton seemingly well advanced. It would have been a logical path for the defender who, after coming through the youth ranks at Partizan, fully graduated at the famed Red Bull system. However, the Brighton transfer didn't happen, and Pavlovic soon found himself suspended "for rough play in training." This isn't the only thing that makes him similar to his idol - former Serbia captain Nemanja Vidic. Authoritative in the air, especially at set pieces, prepared to put his head in where it hurts, and quick to cover other players’ mistakes, Pavlovic looks set to be a fixture for the national team for years to come. He was soon back in the Salzburg starting XI and arrives in Germany in good form. He admits, however: "The toughest thing for me is playing against players like Bernardo Silva. He is intelligent, moves a lot, and is hard to mark."