Milos Degenek is no stranger to taking on the world's best.
With the Socceroos set to take on France on Wednesday at 6:00am (AEDT) in their opening game of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, the experienced defender knows what it takes to be ready to go for such a game.
Just like four years ago, Australia kicks off its tournament against France. Degenek was included in the squad back in 2018, but was an unused substitute in all three group matches.
The centre-back with 38 caps and one goal for his country is now hoping to make his mark at this year's tournament.
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If he is to make it onto the pitch on Wednesday in Australia’s Group D opener at the Al Janoub Stadium, Degenek is no stranger to playing against some of the world’s best players.
The 28-year-old has featured against the likes of Paris Saint Germain, Liverpool, Bayern Munich and Tottenham throughout his European career with FK Crvena Zvezda.
With the possibility of facing such talents again in the France team, Degenek gave Socceroos Insider Live in-camp Q & A an insight into how he prepares for such a task.
“You prepare as you would in most other games,” Degenek said.
I've had the luck of playing against Mbappé already. I’ve played against some of the French national team players already in different stages of the Europa League and the Champions League so I've come up against a lot of them.
“Obviously, they are very difficult games but I'd say the same thing as I would against anyone. They have two legs, two hands, two eyes and a head as well so this is the same as us. It's just a matter of just being focused, being intelligent on the day and just analysing your opponent a little bit before the game but it's not just an individual thing.
“We have to be ready as a team and I'm sure from our goalkeeper to all the way up front to the coaching staff and all the staff in general. We're all going to be pulling in the same direction for the results and it’s basically just preparing as normal.
“Some guys like to go for a walk, some guys play Playstation, some guys listen to music. I normally spend most of the time just talking to my family and just kind of switching off and on.”
Degenek was one of the first to arrive at the Socceroos camp in Doha, landing last Thursday and quickly acquainting himself with the training base.
The defender gave fans an insight into what life has been like at their state-of-the-art training complex and why it could give Australia an edge in Qatar.
“The facilities are extraordinary,” Degenek said.
“The staff are really good. From the Australian staff to the ground staff here and the local staff, everything's been quite good and quite positive.
I think the atmosphere has been what we expected and I think it's got the potential to be probably the best World Cup we've ever seen.
“I hope in the long run that this is one that we can look back on and say this was the best World Cup Australia's ever had.”