The old and new will come together when Serbia take to the field this summer.

Gone is the man who led them back to the World Cup after 2014’s absence, Slavoljub Muslin. In his place stands Mladen Krstajic, a born leader and 59-cap veteran who is undertaking his first head coach role.

Change is also afoot within the ranks. Muslin’s reluctance to integrate 2015’s Under-20 World Cup winners paved the way for his dismissal, with the likes of gloriously gifted – but overlooked – Lazio centre midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic now set to team up with Manchester United anchorman Nemanja Matic, Zenit St Petersburg defender Branislav Ivanovic plus a host of European stars.

The question now is whether this new mixture can lead the nation to glory.

There is no doubt that the Serbians have underachieved since the breakup of Yugoslavia in the early 1990s – not once have they passed the group stage.

Stars such as defensive warrior Nemanja Vidic, craftsman Dejan Stankovic and striker Mateja Kezman all underwhelmed in 2006 – as Serbia and Montenegro – and 2010.

This is the first major tournament they have have qualified for since as Muslin’s ability to draw consistency from a temperamental squad ended this run, topping a generous Group D in 2018 qualifying. The goals of Aleksandar Mitrovic, who has flourished at Fulham on loan from Newcastle, and Southampton flyer Dusan Tadic were key then – and will be in Russia.

Luka Milivojevic has also grown into a regular source of goals for Crystal Palace from central midfield.

The youthful pair of Eintracht Frankfurt’s Mijat Gacinovic and Benfica’s Andrija Zivkovic can add plenty of excitement in attack, while all eyes will be on the €100 million-rated Milinkovic Savic.

It is to be seen whether the creaking legs of new captain Aleksandar Kolarov and Ivanovic can keep up. They can count on commitment from coach Krstajic, but he is untested at this rarefied – or any – level. Serbia must beat Costa Rica on June 17 in Samara when Group E gets under way and a defining test follows against Switzerland, before Brazil sashay into Moscow.

KEY PLAYER

Nemanja Matic

The United veteran provides a cerebral – and sizeable – presence in midfield.

Possesses the defensive diligence to cover the back, plus the expansive passing range to ignite an exciting attack. Partnership with Milivojevic is foundation for team’s resurgence.

COACH

Mladen Krstajic

The ex-Werder Bremen and Schalke centre-back is a managerial greenhorn but a popular figure in the dressing room. He is also well versed in his squad’s strengths and weaknesses after assisting Muslin.

Has dumped his predecessor’s 3-4-3 formation and moved to a 4-2-3-1.

CAPTAIN

Aleksandar Kolarov

Krstajic’s desire to stamp his authority on the squad saw him decide in March to end Ivanovic’s six-year run with the captain’s armband and hand it to Kolarov.

The adventurous, 32-year-old left-back has enjoyed a renaissance at Roma and boasts more than 70 caps.

YOUNG STAR

Sergej Milinkovic-Savic

It is odd to see that the coveted midfielder didn’t feature during qualifying. But once Muslin was dismissed, the 23-year-old excelled as a starter in both November’s friendlies.

Will add physicality, technical exuberance and a goal threat – likely off the substitutes’ bench.

KEY FACTS AND STATS

– Three major tournaments missed in a row before Muslin led them to World Cup 2018.

– It’s 12 years since Montenegro claimed independence and Serbia struck out alone.

– 50 per cent of qualifying goals were scored by Dusan Tadic and Aleksander Mitrovic.

FIFA Rating

78 DEF 79 MID 76 ATT

World Cups competed at

12 (First in 1930, nine as Yugoslavia)

World Cup record

P43, W17, D8, L18

Best finish

Fourth place (1930 & 1962)

Qualification record

P10, W6, D3, L1

World ranking

35

SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Vladimir Stojkovic (Partizan Belgrade), Predrag Rajkovic (Maccabi Tel Aviv), Marko Dmitrovic (Eibar)

Defenders: Aleksandar Kolarov (Roma), Antonio Rukavina (Villarreal), Milan Rodic (Red Star Belgrade), Branislav Ivanovic (Zenit Saint Petersburg), Uros Spajic (Anderlecht), Milos Veljkovic (Werder Bremen), Dusko Tosic (Guangzhou R&F), Nikola Milenkovic (Fiorentina)

Midfielders: Nemanja Matic (Man United), Luka Milivojevic (Crystal Palace), Marko Grujic (Liverpool), Dusan Tadic (Southampton), Andrija Zivkovic (Benfica), Filip Kostic (Hamburg), Nemanja Radonjic (Red Star Belgrade), Sergej Milinkovic-Savic (Lazio), Adem Ljajic (Torino)

Forwards: Aleksandar Mitrovic (Fulham), Aleksandar Prijovic (PAOK Thessaloniki), Luka Jovic (Eintracht Frankfurt)

VERDICT

The talent is there to claim second place in Group E. But a likely round-of-16 meeting with Germany should be the end of their journey.