The Red Journey

Zenit will be piss easy ;)! Ninis returned to Greece?!

@ASR-PSV - It was, but the players played really well and we managed to get a result
@Josh - Thanks
@Walter - I might cry if I win against Zenit
@Jonaldinho - Thanks, glad you like them
@Pauker - Eh, Russian giants, pff, I have Kasalica and Onyilo And yeah, he went on loan from Parma.

If someone were to have told Red Star fans at the beginning of the competition, that they would reach the quarter finals of the Europa League, beating the likes of Swansea, Saint-Etienne, Spartak Moscow, Udiense and now Zenit on the way, most of them would have laughed you off. However, under to guidance of new manager Robert Prosinečki, the Serbian side have done just that, pulling off some of the biggest upsets the competition has ever seen. With a great team spirit, as well as some rising stars, they managed to overcome one of the pre-tournament favourites in Zenit St Petersburg, 1-0 on aggregate.


The first leg saw the only goal of the tie, and was held in Belgrade. Zenit dominated the possession from the first whistle to the last whistle, but they found all their attacks stopped, by a superb Red Star defence, along with inform keeper, Bajkovic. It was the home side that first got the ball in the back of the net however, after Ninkovic headed past the keeper, but, much to the outrage of their fans, the goal was ruled out due to it being offside. Zenit’s best chance of the half came when Arshavin found Danny in the box, and the winger had his shot tipped past the post. The second half was very similar to the first, with Zenit pilling on huge amounts of pressure. They soon became frustrated after every shot they had was either saved or resulted in a corner, which Red Star dealt with easily. Even after Nejc Pecnik left the field, due to what looked to be a serious injury, Red Star would not let their spirits or energy levels drop, and kept up their great work, stopping the Russians scoring. Arshavin looked dangerous, making lots of clever runs on the wing, but his side couldn't find the end product. Finally on the 86th minute, the moment which changed the tie occurred, as a clearance from Red Star found its way to Vesovic, who was fouled on the right wing. Captain Mijailovic took the free kick quickly, crossing it into the near post, where Vesovic managed to prod the ball home with a clever volley, sending the home fans into footballing heaven. Red Star hung on, and won the first leg 1-0, an advantage which they hoped would be vital in the 2nd leg.


In Russia, the match was almost identical to the first leg, except there was no goal for either side. Hulk and co were still overwhelming favourites despite Red Star’s advantage, and critics predicted their home advantage would allow them to score several times. However this wasn’t the case, even though they started off very brightly. The Serbians had pitched up their defence firmly in front of their goal, knowing a clean sheet would send them through. Zenit quickly pinned them back in their half, but Bajkovic and his defence looked solid. At the end of the first half the only moment of note was a scramble which almost allowed Witsel to score, but the midfielder scuffed his shot wide. While Zenit started the 2nd half in the same fashion, it was Red Star again on the counter who had the best chance after Martinovic’s shot was pushed onto the bar by Zenit keeper Malafeev. This moment gave Red Star more confidence, as they began to attack more, whilst still remaining responsible at the back. Both Savicevic and Mijailovic came close to extending their lead, but neither of them did, to set up a nervy finale. Attacking midfielder Faizulin came closest for Zenit, but after he was picked out on the back post only hit his shot into the side netting. Red Star managed to deny Zenit a goal, and therefore won the tie, 1-0 on aggregate, a result which sees the Serbian side in the draw for the quarter finals. This historic result was celebrated greatly in Belgrade, as more and more fans are beginning to believe they can pull off one of the biggest tournament upsets in the history if European football.

Nice victory there mate!
Curious to see who you draw next

CALLED IT! Anyways, best of luck in the next round, and we're hoping for a cup win!

Wow... just WOW! Very, very well done on progressing even further!

@ASR-PSV - Thanks, with the teams left, whoever I get won't be easy
@Pauker - Thanks, there are still a lot of good teams left in the competition, but I'll do my best
@Walter - That was my reaction, but with a lot more tears of joy xD Thanks

Yesterday, in Nyon, the draw for both the quarterfinals and the semi-finals of this year’s Europa League took place. All the remaining participants all stand a chance of lifting this year’s trophy, and despite there being no representation from 2 of the 5 major leagues in the Serie A or the BPL, the teams left are of a very high quality. The ties will be played over two legs, with the first being played on the 2nd April, with the 2nd leg a week later. Here is a closer look at one of the matchups.



The first to be drawn, this is perhaps the most fascinating of ties, in terms of finances and the routes taken to reach this stage.Russian giants Anji, who will play at home for the first leg, have had some shaky times in the competition, but still look very strong on paper. Once a financial superpower, Anji’s owner chose to cut off the funding to the club, after an extremely poor showing in their domestic league last season. This has led to many of their stars being sold or released, however their new look side still is very much one of the top in Europe. Led by tall frontman Lacina Traore, with support from the likes of hard-working Jucilei, they are a threat attacking-wise to most teams in the Europa, however, their defensive frailties have been capitalized on, on several occasions. In the Group Stages, they were widely expected to top their group, but found themselves fighting for qualification, after draws against Wigan and a home loss against Bordeaux, left them scraping through after a draw against Metalurg. In the first knockout round they faced Stuttgart, who they beat at home, but lost to away, however, away goals sent them through to face Portuguese side Benfica who they beat, courtesy of the only goal of the game in the first tie.

Red Star had the hardest route to this stage out of all the quarter finalists, having to come through to three qualification rounds, against the likes of Spartak and Udinese, before they faced the ‘Group of Death’, pulling off some big upsets to beat Saint-Etienne and Swansea to qualification. In the first knockout round they easily overpowered PAOK 4-2 on aggregate, before narrowly beating another Russian giants in the form of Zenit, after a late goal. Red Star have been the story of the competition so far and have come through despite all odds. Their players have also been some of the stars of the competition so far. Milos Ninkovic tops the assists charts with 8, while star striker Filip Kasalica is top of the goal scoring charts with an astonishing 11 goals to his name. This has helped Red Star tie with Tottenham for being the top team scorers. All of these stats, combined with a new manager who had led this current generation of players to the verge of their first league title in 6 years, and got to heights in Europe which were unimaginable at the start of the season, Red Star will be a formidable foe for Anji, and no-one should be surprised if they pull off yet another upset, to continue their European dream run.

Overall, while Anji have the better squad and resources on paper, Red Star this season have shown that what is on paper does not matter; it is what happens on the pitch which makes the difference. The winner will be rewarded with the chance to play the winner of the most high quality clash, as Real Sociedad play Sevilla. It is sure to be a dramatic two legs, which sees the once rich fallen giants take on the huge underdogs in what promises to be an epic.

Great result against Zenit and fantastic update!
Another great update there and a fairly easy draw as well.
I'm sure you can beat Anji and go all the way and win it too

Great update! Let's hope you can progress!

You can do it!

@Pompey - Thanks, the Zenit game was tough but I managed to get through it Btw, you were right the first time, it's Anzhi, its just that FM call them Anji, and I though it would look a bit odd if I called them something different to the pic
@Josh - Hopefully
@Walter - Thanks for the support

March was Red Star’s most hectic month so far this season, due to them still competing on 3 fronts. However, despite the fatigue and lacklustre performances which are usually associated with periods of games such as these, many will say, with very good reason, that this has been Red Star’s most successful month. The first game was against Radnicki in the league, where a very late Milos Ninkovic goal got them the victory. Next came two legs against Zenit, in a tie which they eventually won by another late goal in the first leg. In between these two ties came Red Star’s biggest win of the season, as they destroyed Javor 6-0 away from home. After comfortably ousting Spartak, they had a double bill of games against Novi Pazar, first in the cup, then in the league. Red Star won both encounters, to have yet another unbeaten month, but even more significantly, in all 8 games they played, they did not concede a single goal, despite coming up against some tough opposition.



After a perfect showing in the league this month, the side have increased their lead at the top to 16 points, with 10 games left of the season. Under a new manager, Vujadin Boskov, Partizan have surged up the table, and now occupy 4th place, as they hope to make a late push for the European spaces. With OFK Beograd looking nearly certain to be relegated, it is between Donji, Napredak, Cukaricki and Javor to see who will stave off the drop.Radnicki 1923, who started the season so well, even leading the table at one point, have had progressively worse months, and slipped lower and lower down the table, now finding themselves in 9th. They could easily climb back up, with the middle of the table sides extremely close, with only 6 points separating 3rd to 11th.



Red Star players are still making a lot of noise, both in Europe and domestically, with many of their stars leading the stats charts. In the league, Filip Kasalica is now on 17, way above his competition, and he should take home the Golden Boot easily. Onyilo is doing well also for a primarily second choice striker. In terms of assists, Jagodina’s Milan Djuric leads with 10, while Ninkovic is tied 2nd with 8. In the Europa League, Kasalica is also top, alongside Tottenham striker Roberto Soldado. Ninkovic leads the assists, again with 8. With Tottenham out of the competition, after they were beaten by Dynamo Kiev, it leaves space for both of these players to end the competition at the top of the charts.



While Kasalica and Ninkovic have both had great months, due to Red Star’s stunning defensive record during these games, this Player of the Month has to go to Darko Lazic. The young centre back is one of Red Star’s brightest prospects, and so far this season, his performances have looked very exciting. Alongside Miguel Araujo, he has looked very solid, and played especially well, against Javor and in the 2nd leg versus Zenit, where he came under a huge amount of pressure. With his good positioning and tackling, as well the speed in which he looks to be improving, Lazic has attracted attention from all across Europe, and in recent time in has been rumoured Feyenoord are the latest club to be interested, but Red Star have already stated clearly that they won’t be selling him.

A quality update, expect nothing less from you though Great results!

Some nice results there!