Could be an interesting time to be in Serbia. Troops massing at the Kosovo border. The possibility exists they will use the war in Ukraine as their opportunity to go back in. If they do it won’t be good.
"Interesting" wouldn't be the word I'd use - I'd be absolutely bricking it if I was there right now...
Only caught the start of the game but sounds like Marko dropped a stinker unfortunately. Fans not too happy with his CL performances in comparison to his league ones, he apparently seems fatigued and overwhelmed by the occasion. Haven't seen much of the UCL yet so can't comment
Only caught the start of the game but sounds like Marko dropped a stinker unfortunately. Fans not too happy with his CL performances in comparison to his league ones, he apparently seems fatigued and overwhelmed by the occasion. Haven't seen much of the UCL yet so can't comment
He's still learning his craft at that level to be fair.
Rome wasn't built in a day, and every bit of experience he can soak up now is going to do wonders for him say in a year or two, as he's approaching that ripe age of 23/24 years old. He already has an exceptionally high ceiling, but there is nothing like coming up against some UCL big boys, in order to really challenge and push you to be better. And I am sure he will be better for the opportunities.
He is however an absolute picture of consistency looking at his Mozzart Bet Superliga stats. I guess it helps being in a strong side, but he's started life strong on the domestic front as an everpresent member of the starting XI. Hopefully we'll see this translate across to European competition as the season goes along. 🤞
He's getting more playing time at Red Star than experienced Socceroo Milos Degenek. But I'll always have thoughts that he would have learnt more in a truly competitive league like the Danish Superliga.
Though ironically RS are only 3rd (2 losses) in Serbia, whilst FCK (2 losses also) are 1st by a point in Denmark.
FCK going down 1-2 to Bayern in the UCL. Like RS have a draw & a loss in their UCL group to date.
Red Star travel to Leipzig in the UCL. Feels almost must win for Red Star (on 1 pt after 2 games). Certainly can't afford to lose if they want to progress out of the Group.
Game in Bern against Young Boys in a month's time could well be the determining factor as to whether they play internationally in the new year. Certainly no guarantee they will finish third. Leipzig looked a step above apart from a spell a bit after halftime, no shame against a top Bundesliga side, so could be tough when they play again in Belgrade in two weeks.
Loss against YB though would mean fourth without an upset win elsewhere. It was a very even fixture last time (xG differential was just 0.05 in Red Star's favour, for example), so at home on the artificial turf YB might fancy themselves. YB also have the advantage of playing Leipzig on Matchday 6 when the Saxons could already have secured progression, which would allow rotation and easing off the accelerator etc.
So a league game it was...and a bad one, too. Red Star went ahead at 84min vs 3rd placed TSC only to give up the lead at 91min! Stamenic had been withdrawn at 65min (0-0). Partizan Belgrade are now firm favourites, having opened up a 6 point gap at the top of the league, though only 12 games have been played so far.
Stamenic somewhat surprisingly doesn't see any action this morning as his Red Star outfit succumb 2-1 to RB Leipzig in Belgrade, and with that ending any remaining hope of getting out of the group stage.
All to play for in Switzerland in a few weeks against the current Swiss Super League leaders Young Boys, in the battle for 3rd, and that Europa League spot.
Will be a few off field geo political distractions for Red Star at the moment. They have an Israeli coach & GK. Plus you also have the border issues with Serbia & Kosovo. All a long way from tranquil NZ.
Young Boys lost at Man City 3-0. YB and RS each on a 1 pt, so yes all to play for in Switzerland in a 3 weeks.
59 mins (2-1) in a 2-1 win. Big result for Red Star who close within 3 points of bitter rivals Partizan. Partizan themselves play a useful Vojvodina next.
59 mins (2-0) in a 2-0 loss. Milos Degenek an unused sub. Loss pretty much ends any dreams of Red Star playing European football after Xmas. Host Man City in their final game.
For all their extra signings over the summer of Stamenic & others, Red Star so far this season, haven't got the results they would have wanted. 1 D & 4 L in the UCL. Still this UCL group is a step up from their Europa League Group last year of Ferencváros (Hungry), Monaco & Trabzonspor (Turkey). They finished bottom of that group.
This season in the Serbian league they are 2nd having already lost 2 games, after going unbeaten last season and sleep walking the title by 22 pts.
59 mins (2-0) in a 2-0 loss. Milos Degenek an unused sub. Loss pretty much ends any dreams of Red Star playing European football after Xmas. Host Man City in their final game.
For all their extra signings over the summer of Stamenic & others, Red Star so far this season, haven't got the results they would have wanted. 1 D & 4 L in the UCL. Still this UCL group is a step up from their Europa League Group last year of Ferencváros (Hungry), Monaco & Trabzonspor (Turkey). They finished bottom of that group.
This season in the Serbian league they are 2nd having already lost 2 games, after going unbeaten last season and sleep walking the title by 22 pts.
I think it definitely ends their Europa League hopes doesn't it? As the tiebreaker is head-to-head, so they couldn't jump ahead of Young Boys.
In that case yes, RS (4th) being 3 pts behind YB (3rd) with 1 pool game left. If it was GD, Red Star would still have a slim hope if they beat Man City in their last game, and YB lost to Leipzig.
59 mins (2-0) in a 2-0 loss. Milos Degenek an unused sub. Loss pretty much ends any dreams of Red Star playing European football after Xmas. Host Man City in their final game.
For all their extra signings over the summer of Stamenic & others, Red Star so far this season, haven't got the results they would have wanted. 1 D & 4 L in the UCL. Still this UCL group is a step up from their Europa League Group last year of Ferencváros (Hungry), Monaco & Trabzonspor (Turkey). They finished bottom of that group.
This season in the Serbian league they are 2nd having already lost 2 games, after going unbeaten last season and sleep walking the title by 22 pts.
Just slight correction, it confirms they will finish last in the group regardless if they beat City. They needed a point at least (and then better Young Boys' result on Matchday Six) to stay in contention. YB hold the head-to-head over Crvena zvezda and best CZ can do is equal YB's four points. It will be domestic only until next season.
They had their chances, especially early, just didn't take them. Then unfortunate deflection onto the shins after the keeper made a save leads to an own-goal, and some weak goalkeeping, failing to get down on a low curling shot that went through the hands, leads to two.
They can (have to) play for coefficient points, as Serbia have had a terrible season so far across their sides, which somewhat reflects the strength of the league. From the five sides (coefficient points get divided amongst all participants, and includes qualifying) they collectively have one win, two draws and twenty losses. Crvena zvezda, of course, four losses and the one draw. TSC lost both legs of their UCL playoff to Braga and have one draw and three losses in a Europa League with West Ham, Freiburg and Olympiacos. Čukarički in the Conference League have lost all four against Genk, Ferencvaros and Fiorentina, as well as both legs in their Europa League Playoff against Olympiacos. Partizan won one Conference League qualifying leg against an Azeri side (lost the other but progressed) and then lost both legs to Nordsjælland. Vojvodina lost both UECL qualifiers to Cypriots APOEL.
Serbia's collective coefficient points so far this season are 1.400. If you exclude Russia (considering UEFA have) then the next team with less this season is 34th ranked Liechtenstein, who are only allowed one team and have no league. They've already plummeted five places in the rankings for 25/26: Turkey, Switzerland, Czechia, Denmark and Norway overtaking them. They have already lost their current spot for next season, meaning the league winner will go through the UCL playoff round, rather than straight into the group stage. Second place will require three ties won for UCL. Cup winner into UEL playoffs and two sides into UECL qualifying. 25/26 will see the league winner into second round UCL qualifying, then three sides into second round UECL qualifying.
The next tie might be one to savour for Stamenic, Red Star and the Rajko Mitic faithful, because it could be tough to return - especially if they don't win the league this season.
Interesting. Always did question whether Stamenic's move to Red Star would be the right one, and Copenhagen did seem genuinely keen to keep him.
Wonder if at the end of the Serbian season, any clubs in a big 5 league will be sniffing around, and if so RS would consider selling him. Piney has him at no 2 on his AWs list, but from January to May next year he'll only be playing the likes of Železničar Pančevo, Radnički Niš and Radnik Surdulica week in, week out. And maybe the same season 24/25.
Not the most opportune point to add that Crvenz zvezda (Red Star) have not won an away game in the Champions League/European Cup since 1991. Spoiler alert: they still haven’t.
And this interesting observation.
Interestingly, there’s been chat in Serbia about how the manager has tweaked a few things during the international break. Part of that seems to involve Stamenic playing a slightly more attacking role.
That wasn’t really the case against Young Boys but it was notable in that Vojvodina that he appeared the most advanced of the midfield three. Part of the reason for his drop in form, after a brilliant start, was the addition of South Korean international Hwang who has been very good for them... but his roaming tendencies leave Stamenic much more exposed than when he was playing alongside Guelor Kanga. Against Vojvodina both Kanga and Hwang started. Ideally this means that we get plenty of Stamenic goals and assists as they defend their title. We’ll shall see how it goes.
Red Star (2nd, 40 pts) win 1-0, to keep chasing rivals Partizan (1st, 43 pts). No Stamenic in match day squad. Injured mid week against Young Boys in the UCL? Degenek an unused sub.
Now very much a 2 horse race for the Serbian title. TSC (3rd) 8 pts behind Red Star. Partizan & RS had their first derby game postponed, and are now scheduled to meet 21st Dec, and then again March next year.
RS have a midweek Cup Round of 16 tie against Radnički Niš.
