Serbia coach Tumbakovic: Luka Jovic's problem is Luka Jovic Real Madrid Falling further away from the national team

Luka Jovic's 2019 didn't end as he'd have liked it to, but Serbia head coach Ljubisa Tumbakovic is only putting the blame for that onto the striker's own shoulders.

The 22-year-old has struggled since joining Real Madrid from Eintracht Frankfurt in the summer, and minutes have been at a premium for him.

"I take care of each player to get the best of the national team," Tumbakovic told Serbian paper Blic Sport.

"I've never given up on anyone.

"One player who has moved away from the team is Luka Jovic and, in truth, he's the only one.

"There are no problems between us. Luka Jovic's problem is Luka Jovic."

The pair did have something of a falling out in September when Jovic played just three minutes against Portugal before claiming that he had an injury and subsequently returning to Madrid, missing a game against Luxembourg only to play for Los Blancos four days later.

"He suddenly left training," Tumbakovic added, "he didn't answer.

"As a coach I'll always have a player with his class in the team because it wouldn't be professional for me to not think about him.

"But it's him who has to convince us - the media, the fans, the FA and me, as his coach - that he's ready and responsible.

"He hasn't taken any steps in that direction."