Serbian national soccer team coach Dragan Stojkovic speaks during a press conference after announcing the squad for the Qatar 2022 World Cup, at Sports Center of FA of Serbia in Stara Pazova, near Belgrade, Serbia on Nov 14, 2022. (DARKO VOJINOVIC / AP)

DOHA - Serbia have never moved past the group stages at the World Cup since the breakup of Yugoslavia but defender Stefan Mitrovic believes coach Dragan Stojkovic has instilled the right mentality for the team to reach the knockout stages.

Serbia were knocked out at the group stage in 2010 and 2018 and they did not qualify in 2014. Last year they appointed Stojkovic, a former Yugoslav international who has played at several World Cups and European Championships.

He's (Dragan Stojkovic) unbelievable, from the first moment, he gave us a great mentality, he played as a player at the World Cup. He knows we have to put pressure from the start ... Definitely, he's a very important person in everything we've done till now. With his experience, he can show us how to be successful in this tournament.

Stefan Mitrovic, Serbian professional footballer

Serbia topped their World Cup qualifying group ahead of Portugal to automatically qualify for the finals while they also won their Nations League group in September to gain promotion to League A.

"He's unbelievable, from the first moment, he gave us a great mentality, he played as a player at the World Cup. He knows we have to put pressure from the start," Mitrovic said on Sunday.

"Definitely, he's a very important person in everything we've done till now. With his experience, he can show us how to be successful in this tournament."

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Serbia's biggest test comes in their first Group G game, however, when they take on Brazil on Thursday.

Both Mitrovic and goalkeeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic admitted the South Americans are one of the tournament favourites, but they had no qualms about playing the five-times champions so early.

"Everyone knows their history, their mentality and the quality of the players... But I think it's excellent we play Brazil immediately," Milinkovic-Savic said.

Mitrovic said "it doesn't matter" who they play first but said they would have to gel together as a unit if they are to advance to the last 16.

Red Star's Stefan Mitrovic celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the Europa League Group H soccer match between Red Star and Ferencvaros, at the Rajko Mitic Stadium in Belgrade, Serbia on Oct 6, 2022. (DARKO VOJINOVIC / AP)

"Their team is very strong with a lot of stars," he said.

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"What we need is an amazing atmosphere in the team and that's the most important thing we need to be successful in the tournament."