The Red Journey

Can we see a SS of Milunovic pls?

Beasting the league mate!

@Pauker - Sure


@Naveed - Thanks mate


Also, thanks to everyone who has been following my story, and I'm very proud that this story have reached 2500 views!

Congrats on 2500 views pal, a proud moment and long may it continue

@Naveed - Thanks mate, yeah, I'm quite proud of it

Red Star Belgrade managed to overcome all odds and do the unthinkable yet again, beating French side AS Saint-Etienne in their 2nd group stage match of the Europa League. The Serbian side has been plighted with tough draws throughout their time in this competition, but have somehow managed to pull it out of the bag, and have won in each tie, culminating in a stunning comeback to Swansea City in the first matchweek. This game was no exception as they came from behind to win the match very late on. The results sees them top of their group, a place unthinkable to them at the start of this competition.

The first half saw some solid defending from both sides, as they looked resilient and determined not to concede early on. This meant chances were scarce, and neither side was able to dominate the opening stages. However, the score was opened in the 26th minute, when a cross from a corner by Yohan Molla was slightly deflected and fell perfectly to the head of winger Tabanou who managed to put the ball into the back of the net, silencing the travelling supporters from Belgrade who had come to see this match. Despite the goal, the tempo of the game did not change, and the only important moment of the half came when Paulo Assuncao was injured just before the break, and had to be substituted off. Tabanou’s header at this point looked like it would be the only goal of the match, and the deciding moment in this game.

The second half was much more open and entertaining, as both sides looked more threatening on the attack. There were a lot more chances, and both sides came close to scoring, Saint-Etienne’s Brandao forcing an excellent save from Bajkovic, before Onyilo's header brushed the woodwork. Onyilo however, did get another chance in the 82st minute, when a long ball was played through to him and set him clear on goal, and he applied the finish to equalise the match. Saint-Etienne were furious as they believed he was offside, but replays suggest the officials made a good call. The French side was still in shock and Red Star began to threaten more, and, in the 3rd minute of stoppage time, Kovacevic’s shot was just tipped onto the crossbar by goalkeeper Ruffier, but he was unable to stop the rebound which fell to Onyilo, who slid it into an empty net to get his 2nd of the game, and give his side all 3 points, as the match ended 1-2, thanks to two very late goals from the visitors.

damn!!!!!!!!!! You left it frigging late. Awesome win though and your going like a train at the moment I have been reading this every time so sorry i have not commented more

Brilliant comeback!

@Jason - Cheers mate, and ik, it was very tense at the end
@Walter - Thanks, it was just a simple change of tactics that did it

Red Star Belgrade came from 2 goals down to pull off a draw with their fiercest rivals Partizan. The winners of the domestic league over the last six years were not performing nowhere near their expected standard, and were stuck in mid-table, and many predicted that this would be the ideal time for Red Star to visit them. However, as in many derbies, it invigorated the Partizan team who gave the current league leaders a real test for their money.

The match, which many pundits expected to be a vital point in both teams seasons; either giving Partizan a massive boost in their poor campaign and help them rise up to challenge the top, or give Red Star the confidence and belief that they could break Partizan’s 6 year grip on the SuperLiga. Red Star started the match poorly however, as their players looked tired after their midweek trip to France in the Europa League. This lacklustre opening was punished immediately, as, after 6 minutes, Petrovic found Malbasic on the wing, who cut inside and hit a powerful shot to beat Bajkovic at his near post, leaving them in shock. After the goal, the Red Star player seemed to switch on, and were looking more like the side that was 1st in the league and top of their Europa League group. They were unable to score however, and later in the half, after 37 minutes, a flick on by Obradovic fell to Malbasic who fired in his second, amidst lots of complaints from Red Star players of offside. The half ended with Partizan leading 2-0, and looking in total control.

The second half, was much better for Red Star. The looked much more enthusiastic and clinical, and were only denied several times by the Partizan keeper. He had helpless however, when Ninkovic hit a low cross into the box which was met by Onyilo, who scored to give his side hope of getting something from this game. Despite pushing a lot, the second goal seemed to be eluding them. Even with the high amount of chances they were having, they were not shooting enough; instead losing possession in decent areas, giving Partizan’s defence time to regroup. The introduction of Filip Kasalica changed all of that, as the goal-friendly striker’s first touch was a corner which found the head of centre back Martinovic, who nodded the ball into the bottom corner, scoring his first goal for the club, and giving them the draw late on. The match ended 2-2, a result which Partizan, at the start of the game would have be happy would, but after the events of the match itself, will look back in disappointment that they were not able to gather all the points. For Red Star, it is a morale booster, as they remain at the top of the table.

Red Star Belgrade’s great unbeaten run during the league and the Europa League finally came to an end, after their valiant display was not enough to overcome a ruthless Sevilla side. After they were drawn alongside AS Saint-Etienne, Swansea and the Spanish side, no-one gave them a chance of progressing, however, some unbelievable performances from them allowed them to produce comeback victories in their first two games. This amazing run wasn’t able to continue, as they were faced with one of the competition’s favourites and a club in Europe’s elite, who overpowered them on pure skill.

Red Star started the first half brightly, and looked like they were up for this massive challenge. This showed when a long ball from Pecnik went over the heads of all the Sevilla defenders and found Filip Kasalica, who had made a great run, and he finished with class by curling it around the keeper, and into the back of the net to make it 1-0 to the visitors, who were ecstatic. However, they realised that this would be a much tougher test than against their previous opponents in Europe, as Sevilla soon began to dominate and press Red Star back into their own box. The Serbians managed to hold out until the 20th minute, when a deep cross found Bacca who slotted it away to level the score. Sevilla were soon in front after Marin, who had previously hit the bar just moments before, had a shot blocked, but the rebound fell to Perotti, who had no troubles scoring in the 36th minute. From then on it was a downhill struggle as Sevilla pushed to try and get a third.

The second half started much like the first, with the home side totally dominating proceedings. Through some good play, they got chance after chance, and looked to be getting another any time, with the amount of shots they had. The Red Star defence, not used to playing against this level of players, found it very difficult to play against the likes of Bacca, Perotti and Rakitic. Despite the plethora of chances they had however, Sevilla were not able to beat Bajkovic, who played superbly. A late chance for Red Star was unable to be put away, and the game ended 2-1. While they might have lost, Red Star can walk away with their heads held high as to how they defended, and prevented Sevilla from scoring even more.

Great last update Tanay, unlucky loss to Sevilla! They're a really good team though, I know you can bounce back :-) Will be following from now on :p

@Radders - Thanks mate, it means a lot. Yeah, Sevilla are a really good team, and I'm pretty happy we didn't lose by more tbh ;P

Red Star complete double victory over Donji Srem

Red Star Belgrade managed a solid double victory over Donji Srem to close out the month of October. The first victory was in the league, before a few days later the sides met again in the cup, resulting in another Red Star victory. The league leaders however were hard pressed in both games, and will be pleased to have got two good results. Ifeanyi Onyilo starred in both of the games, giving great performances on both occasions.


The first game was played at Donji’s home, the SC Suvaca Stadium in Pecinci. The game opened up very evenly, with both sides getting decent chances. From the early plays, it was clear to see that Red Star were directing the play onto their flanks when they had the ball, to try and cross it into inform striker Onyilo, while Donji were looking to play more directly. Neither side however were able to score, with Red Star’s Dja Djedje missing the best chance from a yards out, and both sides hitting the crossbar once. The scoring was eventually opened near the end of the first half, after Red Star’s tactics finally came fruitful for them. Ninkovic played a deep cross to the back post, where Onyilo was waiting to tap home. An easy finish, but a key goal, as it saw Red Star take the lead late on, at a time when it looked quite unlikely that Donji could reply. They were not able to, and the match ended 1-0 to the visitors. All in all, a good final league game of the month for the leaders, who will be happy that they can maintain the difference in points between them, and 2nd placed Vojvodina.


The 2nd game, and Red Star’s final game of the month was played at their home stadium, as they were looking to progress in the cup, against Donji. However, with vital games coming up for them in Europe, they choose to rest most of their key players, playing a 2nd team instead. They did start Onyilo however, who they hoped would be the difference again. The game started out immediately controlled by the home side, who were looking for a bigger score line than the last encounter for their fans. Early on they hit the post, and had a volley saved brilliantly, but Donji, just after half-time, could do nothing when Dja Djedje crossed it into the box, and picked out Ifeanyi Onyilo, who had another tap-in, and got yet another goal. As Donji put more men up field to try and rescue a draw from normal time, Red Star caught them on the break in the 63rd minute, when Pecnik, close to the touchline, played a deep low cross into the box, and Onyilo was there yet again, to get his third goal against Donji in the two games, all of which have been poachers goals. The away side tried to push, but nothing came of their feeble attacks, and Red Star ended up winning the game 2-0, thanks to Onyilo.

Very nice wins man! Some very good writing and Onyilo looked like he performed very well in those two games