Crvena zvezda managed to ensure a new European spring in the north of Europe, the fourth in the last nine years. At the beginning of the season, it seemed like an impossible mission
By defeating Malmo in the city of the same name, Crvena Zvezda secured at least one more game in the Europa League. The chosen ones Dejan Stanković they will play at least sixteen of the finals of the second strongest European competition, while in the last round they will fight for a place among the top eight.
The epithet of the hero of the match was taken by the scorer of the only goal, Vasilije Kostov, who in the 16th minute was assisted by Marko Arnautović. Stars brought the fourth successive victory in the Europa League and the fourth with the same result - 1:0.
However, ever since November 6 of last year and the match with French Lille, Zvezda seemed like a team that is also interested in the Europa League.
Vladan Milojević's footballers then won only one point in the first three rounds, while Zvezda did not make a name for themselves on the domestic front either, because they took only two points in three games after losing to Braga and are currently in second place.
On November 6, the first victory in the Europa League followed, at the Maracana, Zvezda defeated Lille and thereby hinted at a return to form, or not.
The victory over the French representative seems to have lifted Zvezda mentally, but only for the European matches. Just fifteen days later, the Javor team was better than the Serbian champions in Ivanjica.
Just like before the match with Lille – a setback in the domestic championship. The morale of the fans, possibly even the players, has dropped before the new duel on European soil. However, another victory followed, this time over the Romanian FCSB.
According to established practice, Zvezda loses a match in the domestic championship a few days later, and then celebrates in Europe, more precisely in Graz. It was clear that he lacked motivation for the matches in Serbia.
Due to the bad games in the domestic championship, since it was now at a respectable 10 points in Europe, Zvezda is changing its coach. In Vladan Milojević's place, like a few years ago, comes Dejan Stanković, who last night registered the first official victory with Zvezda since returning to the bench.
However, despite numerous setbacks in Serbia, the Partizan team did not make the most of the bad games of their biggest rival, as they won the title of autumn champion with only one point ahead of Zvezda.
It remains to be seen whether Stankovic will be able to find the key to motivating his players in the domestic championship, since everything is as it should be in Europe, at least for now.
It is not difficult to see, even now, that Red Star had somewhat tougher opponents in the first three rounds. The Celtic team, despite all the current problems, continues to provide solid games, so there is every chance that they will also be among the 24 best teams.
Braga and Porto, who defeated Zvezda, are still ahead of the Serbian champions. The Braga team is a sure participant in the top eight, while the Porto team will fight for it together with Zvezda in the last round.
On the other hand, the four opponents against whom Zvezda registered a victory are in the lower part of the table. Of all those who were defeated by Zvezda 1:0, Lille is the only one with a chance to secure spring in Europe, but even that is a big question.
Therefore, it is not necessary to be a great connoisseur of football in order to see that Zvezda simply took advantage of a slightly easier schedule and thus secured passage to the next stage.
However, the 18th victory in Europe in the last nine years, none of which was in the weakest Conference League, showed that Zvezda is not just a silent observer on the field, but a team that in those nine years even went to the next round of the competition four times.
The answer to the question of whether Zvezda has actually risen or not, Dejan Stanković's chosen ones can look for it in Serbia and the domestic championship, since a new eternal derby is on the program in a month.
The new format of the UEFA competition, which came into effect last year, brought a new way of advancing to the next stage of the competition. Just like in the Champions League, even 24 out of 36 teams go to the next stage of the competition.
However, the first eight teams secure passage to the round of 16, while the other 16 teams fight each other for the remaining eight places, or simply play the round of 16.
With 13 points, Zvezda is currently in 11th place in the table, which mathematically placed them further last night, however, for a direct passage to the round of 16, in addition to the victory over Celta in Belgrade in the last round, Zvezda needs a few more results.
Therefore, Dejan Stanković's team can at best win 16 points, and for now Roma (15), Ferencvaros (15), Betis (14), Porto (14) and Genk (13) are below that number. The Belgians have the same points as Zvezda, but a better goal difference.
Zvezda's supporters will cheer for their pets next Thursday, but also wish for the failure of at least three of the mentioned five teams. Porto welcomes Rangers, Feyenoord visits Betis, Roma visits Panathinaikos, Ferencvaros hosts Premier League club Nottingham Forest, while Genk visits Malmo.
The last round will be played next Thursday, January 29, when all 18 games are scheduled, as well as the match at the Rajko Mitić stadium.
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