JOHANNESBURG – No surprise, Bob Bradley offered little insight as to any possible lineup changes in the US’ second World Cup match against Slovenia on Friday. But he did offer a scouting report on which players the Americans may target at Ellis Park.
“Some dangerous players,” Bradley noted at the prematch press conference on Thursday. “Guys we’ve watched a lot, both for Slovenia and their club teams. We have a great deal of respect for their team.”
First and foremost, Bradley mentioned Slovenia’s captain, Robert Koren, who is “the engine of their team.” The West Brom man will keep his team compact and alert.
As far as the Green Dragons’ skill players are concerned, Bradley singled out 6-foot-3 striker Milivoje Novakovic. The Cologne target man is able to hurt opponents in a number of ways, the US coach said.
“Novakovic is a player who has, even as tall player, a creative side where he comes underneath the ball and brings other people into the game,” Bradley said.
On dead balls, Bradley pointed to Auxerre winger Valter Birsa and his lethal left foot. But more than anything, Bradley praised Matjaz Kek’s work in creating an organized, disciplined team.
“They do a good job of staying very tight and moving as a unit,” Bradley noted. “But we’ve been in many of these kinds of games before, games that play in similar way where you expect the game to be a tactical game, but you look for ways to get an edge.”
