Fantastic month and a fantastic update!
The Red Journey
A story where take a club from one of Europe's lower leagues to make them a worldwide force to be reckoned with!
@Josh - Thanks mate 
It was one of my best months
@tallery - Cheers, hope we can keep it up for the end of the season
@Pompey - Thanks
@Pauker - Cheers, I've scouted him, he looks pretty good, might think about placing an offer at the end of the season (he's at loan currently)
It was one of my best months @tallery - Cheers, hope we can keep it up for the end of the season
@Pompey - Thanks
@Pauker - Cheers, I've scouted him, he looks pretty good, might think about placing an offer at the end of the season (he's at loan currently)
Red Star dream run continues as they beat Anji easily
Red Star Belgrade have done the unthinkable, and then some in this year’s Europa League, pulling off such of the biggest upsets it has ever seen in its history. After wins against such big sides such as Swansea, Saint-Etienne, Spartak, Udinese and Zenit, no-one was going to rule them out of their tie against Anji, but it was they dispatched the Russian giants which left many supporters blown away. The aggregate score line ended up as 5-3, and while they will be slightly disappointed to have conceded 3 times, to have scored 5 times will give them great hope for their semi final, where their run will surely come to an end when they face overwhelming favourites Real Sociedad, who beat another Spanish side in Sevilla.
The first leg, held in Russia, and was fairly tight. Anji started as the better side, getting most of the good chances, but Red Star managed to keep them from scoring in the early stages. Onyilo was their best attacking threat, and looked dangerous on the counter. As the game progressed, it looked like this would be a game decided by a single goal, as both sides stood strong defensively. By half time, the deadlock still hadn’t been broken, and the sides went into the break level. However, after the restart, Anji immediately tried to change that, and stepped up a level. This resulted, in the 57th minute, Mijailovic fouled Yeschenko, and the free kick was marvellously turned in from 30 yards by Dusan Svento. Red Star, who knew if they wanted to have a chance in this tie, they needed to take away at least one away goal, pushed back, and equalised through Onyilo, who headed across the Anji keeper and into the back of the net, after a cross from Vesovic. The game after these two goals however, became very stop start, with lots of fouls and reckless tackles not helping the game’s tempo. Both sides looked for another goal, and Anji came the closest, after a header from Bydanstsev was tipped past the post by Bajkovic. The match ended 1-1, as Red Star fans left happier with an away goal.
The second leg was much more goal packed and exciting, with neither side holding anything back in an attempt to get into the semi-finals. In a match watched by Russian national team manager Fabio Capello, the Russian side failed to start well, and were straight away on the back foot after 10 minutes when Savicevic found Kasalica who shifted the ball into his left foot and striking it sweetly into the top corner. Anji pushed to try and get back into the game, but found themselves unable to beat Bajkovic, and it was instead Red Star who scored again next, in a reverse of the last goal, as Kasalica picked out Savicevic who hit a powerful effort to extend his side’s lead. The half ended with Red Star player’s in much higher spirits, and Anji left wondering. However, their team talk clearly had some effect, as 2 minutes after the restart, a horrible clearance from Bajkovic fell to Traore, who had an empty net to tuck into. This goal greatly increased Anji’s morale, as they pushed back, knowing that another goal would send them through on away goals. This was not the case however, as it was in the 72 minute when Kasalica scored his 2nd of the game after a clever placed finish, to virtually settle the tie. There were still to be more goals and drama however, especially after, in the 81st minute, Traore forced his way through and scored his 2nd of the game, giving Anji a vital lifeline. All Russian hope was quelled though, when a quick break by Red Star led to Milunovic in a good position on the right had side of the box, when he was fouled by Semberas, and the penalty was taken by Kasalica, who confidently fired home to get his hat trick in one of the most important game’s of not only his, but the club’s career. The match ended 4-2, and 5-3 on aggregate, and the result means Red Star will play Real Sociedad, for a place in the prestigious Europa League final against either Dynamo Kiev or Schalke.
Red Star edge tight Eternal derby in controversy surrounded game
Red Star Belgrade took a step closer to clinching their first league title for 6 years with an important win against arch rvials and reigning champions Partizan. This match was not only important due to the points it gave Red Star, but was a very symbolic result, as it show’s Partizan’s grasp on Serbian football being broken, by a record breaking Red Star side. Mathematically, if Red Star manage to win their next two games, the will clinch the league title, whereas for Partizan, after their failed attempt to ruin their rival’s party, they look to have lost the upper hand in the race for European qualification.
In a match which attracts a lot of media attention from across Serbia, and splits many households, the pressure was on both sides to go out and perform to the best of their ability. They did just this, and from the opening stages, it was clear to see that this would be a match of high class and calibre. Milunovic and Markovic both had good chances for their respective sides, before the first moment of controversy occurred, as Pecnik, on the edge on the box cut inside but was barged out of the way by Partizan defender, Nikolic, resulting in a penalty for the home side. Vukan Savicevic stepped up and fired home easily. Partizan responded fairly well, getting forward in numbers, and were enraged when a penalty appeal against Martinovic was turned away. Continuing to push for the rest of the half, Partizan found themselves in good areas, but lacked a killer pass at the end. This led to lots of tame efforts from outside the box and a large amount of crosses, which the Red Star defence could deal with easily. The half ended with the home side holding a narrow advantage.
The second half looked more open than the first, and chances were more frequent in the early moments. After some good pressure by Red Star, they got their reward as Pecnik was fouled again, this time outside of the box, and captain Mijailovic hit a beautiful, curling effort to make the score 2-0, and give his side a healthy cushion. While the Partizan players were furiously complaining to the referee, replays show the officials make the correct decision, and Red Star fans celebrated wildly. Despite their frustration at the situation, Partizan fought back, putting more men into attack and making some attacking substitutions. Grbic came close, but Red Star were always threats on the break, especially from Onyilo. Partizan did score however, when a corner ricocheted around the box and fell to the feet of Kojic, who tapped it into the back of the net. Red fans protested loudly due to calls of offside, but the goal rightly stood. This set up a tense ending, but despite Partizan’s best efforts, they could not score again, and the match ended 2-1 to Red Star. A great win for the side, but it was a game shrouded by the official’s decisions.
Great victory over Anzhi and a good win over Partizan too!
Fantastic write ups as well
Fantastic write ups as well
Best of luck, if you win the EL, it'd be so cool! Some great updates and even better results.
@Pompey - Thanks, they were both tough games so I'm pretty happy to win both!
@Jack - Cheers, #RedStar4Life
@Pauker - Thanks, I would actually go so crazy if we do
@Jack - Cheers, #RedStar4Life
@Pauker - Thanks, I would actually go so crazy if we do
Red Star beat Rad to clinch title
Red Star Belgrade are the new Serbian League champions, after a win against 2nd place Rad saw them lift the title for the first time in 6 years. This result see’s Red Star break Partizan’s 6 year grasp on the league, and the result also confirms that they will be in the Champions League qualifiers for next season. With 7 games left in the league, they can now shift their attention to not only the Serbian Cup, but more important the Europa League, where they have already defied all odds to reach the semi-finals. 20 points ahead of 2nd place, and also unbeaten, they still have a chance to break some more records, so while they will not switch off in the league, they will be relieved to get the title so early.
The match itself was fairly even, with 2nd place Rad having their own agenda as they fight for a place in the Europa League. Rad had some good chances early on especially through Adamovic, who came close on several occasions. They were also a threat some set pieces, of which they had a lot of, especially corners. Red Star were dangerous on the break however, and their quick attacks often caught Rad out, as they struggled to deal with the pace of the moves. Prso had a 40 yard shot tipped over, before half time, and despite both sides attacking selection and style, the score was 0-0. The 2nd half belonged more to Red Star, who immediately took the initiative to dominate proceedings. Their play was constantly interrupted however, as they goal became dirtier, with lots of fouls. Milunovic was their main attacking threat, and he came very close after his volley was tipped past the post. Rad, knowing that they needed to get a point at least in order for Red Star not to win the title on their ground, held back, rarely pushing forward. The moment of the match came on the79th minute, after Pecnik was thrown to the ground by Vitas in the box, and Miguel Araujo scored him 2nd penalty in two games, to give his side a vital lead. While Rad threw everyone forward for the latter stages, it was not enough, and they were unable to break down Red Star’s defence. As the final whistle blew, the Red Star players knew they had won the league.
While to winners ceremony will be held next weekend after the side host Donji at home, both the players and manager, Robert Prosinečki spoke to the press. Captain, Nikola Mijailovic had this to say in the aftermath.
‘This is a stunning achievement for the club, all the lads here worked so hard this season, and this is a great reward. Many of us weren’t here when we last won it, and so this is a special moment, especially for the youngsters. All of this could not have been achieved without Robert though, he is a truly special manager, and his accomplishments here in the first full season are just incredible. Without him, I cannot imagine what this season would have been like. Me, and the rest of the squad are very excited about what the future holds for this amazing club, and I personally will savor the moment where I lift that trophy for the rest of my life.’
Here is what a jubilant Robert Prosinečki said.
‘Wow. What can I say? Everyone at the club has been brilliant, from the owner, to the physio to the players. Every single one of them gave it their all, and they all deserve the medal. To win it with so many games to spare is an incredible achievement for us, and it will be hard to top this next year. We are still unbeaten in the league, so we will do our best to finish the season that way. Tomorrow, we can start preparing for our Europa League semifinal, but tonight, we all deserve a party!’
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