Serbia midfielder Filip Kostic sustains a potential ligament injury in a 1-0 defeat by England during the Euro 2024 opener. Coach Dragan Stojkovic comments on the incident and Serbia’s performance.
Germany, Bollywood Fever: Serbia midfielder Filip Kostic is suspected to have sustained a ligament injury in his left knee during the 1-0 defeat by England in their Euro 2024 opener on Sunday, according to coach Dragan Stojkovic.
Kostic was forced to leave the field in the 43rd minute following a challenge with England’s Jude Bellingham. The 31-year-old Juventus player immediately requested medical assistance after falling to the ground in pain. He walked off the pitch in tears and was substituted by Filip Mladenovic.
“Kostic felt a strong pain in the outside part of his left knee, and we fear that he could have ligament damage. He will undergo medical tests on Monday, let’s hope it’s not as bad as it looks,” Stojkovic stated during a press conference at the Arena AufSchalke in Gelsenkirchen.
Reflecting on the match, Stojkovic believed his team deserved a better result, particularly after a spirited second-half performance that put England under pressure. “We managed to corner the English team, and I think we didn’t deserve to lose,” he said. “We were so close today against a quality opponent, and I’m not satisfied with the result, not satisfied at all. But what can I do now?”
Stojkovic praised his players’ efforts, emphasizing his pride in their performance despite the loss. “I told my players I was proud of their performance and everything but the result. Now all we can do is rest and prepare for what lies ahead, probably the most important match of the group stage against Slovenia.”
The defeat places Serbia at the bottom of Group C, following a 1-1 draw between Denmark and Slovenia earlier on Sunday. England leads the group and will face Denmark on Thursday, while Serbia will take on Slovenia.
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