Uefa Champions League: Red Star Belgrade vs Levadia Tallinn [R]

Discussion in 'Serbia & Montenegro' started by marakana11, Aug 1, 2007.

  1. marakana11

    marakana11 Member

    Jun 20, 2007
    Cali
    Club:
    FK Crvena Zvezda Beograd
    Nat'l Team:
    Serbia
    Report from www.uefa.com:

    FK Crvena Zvezda will take a narrow advantage with them to Estonia next week after Ognjen Koroman scored the only goal against FC Levadia Tallinn in their UEFA Champions League second qualifying round first-leg tie in Belgrade.

    Early chances
    The Serbian champions, and 1990/91 European Champion Clubs' Cup winners, dominated affairs from the start in front of a crowd of 22,000 people in the capital. They gave a debut to Hernán Barcos and the Argentinian forward was one of the players to miss a spate of early opening for Crvena Zvezda before they finally got the breakthrough ten minutes before half-time through Koroman. The Serbian international winger exchanged passes with Dušan Basta and Eduardo Castillo before sending an unstoppable long-range shot arrowing into the top-left corner.

    Levadia hope
    Home coach Boško Djurovski opted to make two changes at the start of the second period, bringing on Filip Djordević and Mauricio Molina, and the Ecuadorian in particular would make a positive impact, nearly setting up a second goal midway through the half that Djordević headed wide from five metres. Crvena Zvezda were nearly made to pay for that missed opportunity though, as Tarmo Kink found himself alone only to be denied by goalkeeper Ivan Randjelović. The custodian would foil defender Vitoldas Čepauskas in added time too, but despite leaving Serbia beaten on the night Levadia will take hope into the second leg on home soil.
     
  2. marakana11

    marakana11 Member

    Jun 20, 2007
    Cali
    Club:
    FK Crvena Zvezda Beograd
    Nat'l Team:
    Serbia
    I watched the game and overall I'm pleased. Our performence was not amazing but in the end it did the job, and that's all that matters. Levadia Tallinn, like all Estonian sides as well as their national team are hard to break down even if they hold no attacking prowess.

    Overall we were the better side and the score should have been 2-0 to us, but they had 1 or 2 chances which startled us in the last 10 minutes. Ognjen Koroman was lively as was Nenad Milijas.

    [​IMG]

    Ognjen Koroman, the Red Star Belgrade No. 8 celebrating after his 34th minute goal.

    The Starting Line Up:

    Црвена звезда: Ранђеловић, Анђелковић, Баста (74' Броновицки), Гај, Туторић, Кастиљо, Миловановић, Лукаш (64' Молина), Милијаш, Короман, Баркос (46' Ф.Ђорђевић)

    ---------------------Randjelovic-----------------------
    Basta---------Tutoric---------Gueye---------Andjelkovic
    ----------------------Castillo---------------------------
    -------Lucas-------------------------Milijas-------------
    ---------------------Milovanovic------------------------
    -------Koroman-----------------------------------------
    --------------------------Barkos------------------------

    Our goalkeeper was in fine form, saving the only 2 good opportunities Leavdia had. The back 4 surprised me the most out of all our players. Tutoric was good, and Gueye was the key figure as his stature won many headers and tackles. In my opinion he had the perfect game. Our two outside fullbacks could have played better, but both were better in the second half. Andjelkovic kept making the overlap every single time for Milijas and Koroman, as well as when Molina was introduced. His one moment of brilliance was when he cut inside a defender and delivered an excellent cross but nobody was able to get on the end of it.

    In the middle of the park our main asset from what I saw is still Segundo Castillo, the Ecuadorian international. He broke up play so many times that I forgot to count. He was the player of the match for me. He might not have scored but provided great cover for our back four and that was inspiring. Lucas, the new signing from Boavista was decent. He had a couple of pops on goal and had some decent touches. You can see the potential is there, but the players are still gelling. Nenad Milijas drifted in and out of the game. He had one excellent free kick, and was dangerous with his left foot but sometimes would do things too slowly and that cost him more than once. If he can find a little bit more speed then he will be in excellent shape. As for Dejan Milovanovic, the captain, he was almost invisible. I was somewhat surprised by his lack of instinct to find that precise pass, but it's still the beginning of the season so I can hardly blame him.

    Up front the duo of Koroman and Barkos showed glimmers, but the Estonians were really hard to break down. Koroman was my second man of the match as he continously kept running at the Levadia defense even when he lost the ball. His effort resulted in his 34th minute goal, even if it was a little bit foolishly handled by the Levadia goalkeeper. Sometimes, it takes a little bit of luck to find that goal, but that is what's needed. As for Barkos, the Argentine is still finding his rhythm, but tried to make something happen whenever he got the ball which was motivating for the other players.

    As for the other substitutes; Molina, the Columbian international has great vision, and is a great passer of the ball. He too, like the other transfers are still finding their rhythm but his combination with Koroman on the left side in the second half was great. His left foot is capable of causing damage, and now people are slowly starting to see why we signed him. Filip Djordjevic, the young forward who was born in 1988 came on for Barkos at the beginning of the second half and worked his butt off. He had one decent header on goal and that was about it... but his conditioning was what surprised me. He ran tirelessly. He was also in a great position to score our second goal, as all was needed for him was for Koroman to put the ball square to him on the eighteen, but Ognjen went himself instead and shot wide. He could have had a goal but his development is really picking up steam. The last player who was brought on was our biggest signing of the summer, the Polish international left back Bronovicki. He showed glimmers with his left foot on the right hand side when he came in for Basta but he still needs work to fit into this Red Star Belgrade side.

    Conclusion: I would give this performence a 7.5/10. We finished the job, but we could have and should have gotten another goal to win deservedly 2-0. Still, we did not concede at home, and we know now all that is needed in Estonia is a draw or a win, or even a 2-1 loss. And with the Ecuadorian wizard, Franklin Salas coming back, I predict a 2-0 win.
     
  3. SRB1N33

    SRB1N33 New Member

    Jul 25, 2007
    Not impressed, 6/10. Good players poor teamwork, need more time should improve.
     
  4. marakana11

    marakana11 Member

    Jun 20, 2007
    Cali
    Club:
    FK Crvena Zvezda Beograd
    Nat'l Team:
    Serbia
    Here are some photos of yesterday's match courtesy of www.fc-redstar.net:

    [​IMG]

    The team before the start of the match.

    [​IMG]

    Nenad Milijas was hacked during the entire game.

    [​IMG]

    Dusan Basta trying to make something happen.
     
  5. marakana11

    marakana11 Member

    Jun 20, 2007
    Cali
    Club:
    FK Crvena Zvezda Beograd
    Nat'l Team:
    Serbia
    Here are some pictures of the fans yesterday courtesy of www.delije.net:

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  6. CDSANTACLARA

    CDSANTACLARA New Member

    Jun 26, 2007
    Fall River, MA
    How is Lucas doing im glad to see him in a Big Club in the CL alot of clubs were after him but he says that he is Happy to be in Belgrade
     
  7. cloudy3139

    cloudy3139 New Member

    Jul 3, 2007
    Irvine, Scotland
    Club:
    Glasgow Rangers FC
    Nat'l Team:
    Scotland
    Hey, I'm a Rangers fan, thanks for the info on the first leg of the Red star levadia tie. I'd love to hear about the second tie, if you could, after the match.

    I'm sure Rangers will defeat Zeta, and assuming Red Star beat Levadia i think it could be an interesting game between both teams. I watched a friendly between Red Star and Porto last week, and i must say i thought Castillo was an excellent player, but Red Star looked to have difficulty making chances, albeit in a friendly match.

    Do you think Red Star can defeat Rangers, if they defeat Levadia?
     
  8. marakana11

    marakana11 Member

    Jun 20, 2007
    Cali
    Club:
    FK Crvena Zvezda Beograd
    Nat'l Team:
    Serbia
    We're Serbians, so quite naturally we fancy our chances against Rangers and Levadia.

    Personally you are right on the dot about us creating chances. But, Serbian teams are always like that in the early rounds. When someone big comes to the Marakana we give them hell.

    It's not a threat or anything, it's just fact. I would argue that we are one of the toughest teams to beat on home soil, outside of the major 10 or 15 European clubs that participate in the Champions League.

    In the past 4 to 5 years we have beat PSV Eidnhoven 3-2 in the Champions League third qualifying round, as well as beating AS Roma 2 years ago in the Uefa Cup 3-1.

    Our teams run on emotion and that is why you get great as well as horrible performences against better opposition. Keep in mind that these players are also trying to prove themselves so they too can play for a club in Western Europe where the true money lies.

    To be honest we've bought quite a handful of foreign players so it will take time for them to gel, but I think these next two weeks will provide just that after we hopefully defeat Levadia.

    The key to our matchup if we indeed do meet will be the fixture in Glasgow, at Ibrox Park. If we are disciplined we are quite capable of drawing you in Scotland. Our last taste of Scottish opposition was around 7 years ago when we tied Hearts 1-1 in Scotland.

    To answer your question even more, Partizan Belgrade reached the Champions League proper 4 years ago when they defeated Newcastle United who had Sir Bobby Robson at the helm. Newcastle play a similar brand of football when compared to Rangers.

    I also watched the Zeta-Rangers game and was surprised by the lack of finishing you guys displayed. It seems you have the same problem as us.

    We will see... Let's just say we fancy ourselves against Scottish opposition, because historically our more technical football usually wins, but that is not to say we are arrogant.

    We're far from it.

    Well good luck against Zeta, and hopefully we see each other in the third round.

    Marakana11
     
  9. SRB1N33

    SRB1N33 New Member

    Jul 25, 2007
    Defeating Rangers is possible but not easy, if we compared the two teams i would say that Rangers are probebly a bit better. However they are not that much better that we couldn't beat them, as marakana11 said last 2 years we did beat PSV and Roma at home which i also considered better then us. Last year we did not do to well in european competition as we got knocked out by AC milan, but considering that they ended up winning the CL, 2:1 loss at home and 1:0 away was very good. Red Star has signed 5 new international players which are probebly as good if not better then the once we already have. However the problem is they only had few weeks with the team and not sure how they would preform. I think our display against Levadia tomoro should tell how good we are and if we are prepared to take on Rangers.
     
  10. IskeFCRS

    IskeFCRS New Member

    Aug 6, 2007
    Sabani Nonda is probably going to sing for Red Star. Red Star board are woried about lack of chances so they want striker with expirience!
     
  11. marakana11

    marakana11 Member

    Jun 20, 2007
    Cali
    Club:
    FK Crvena Zvezda Beograd
    Nat'l Team:
    Serbia
    I highly doubt it. Nonda had a good season at Blackburn and as back with AS Roma.
     
  12. cloudy3139

    cloudy3139 New Member

    Jul 3, 2007
    Irvine, Scotland
    Club:
    Glasgow Rangers FC
    Nat'l Team:
    Scotland
    I havn't heard anything about Nonda on Skysports, or the BBC websites here in the UK.

    Rangers were very poor against Zeta in the first leg, it was probably the worst i've seen them play since our manager, Walter Smith, took over the club in January. However, we were much better in our league match on Saturday, we seemed back to normal.

    Rangers are a very physical side this season, and in Europe we prefer to defend and counter attack, as we have substitutes with a lot of pace and speed.

    I think, from what i've say of Red Star, the major battle on the pitch will be between our best player, Barry Ferguson, and if Castillo can stop him. Ferguson is a much better player than any of the other Rangers team members.

    It's strange that Rangers would play so many teams from the former Yugoslavia in such a short space of time. Last season we played Partizan and won 1-0, without our best players, we rested players ahead of a Celtic game which was a few days later. Now we are playing Zeta, and then maybe Red Star, i don't think many people would like us in your area if we win against both teams.

    Good luck against Levadia and i hope to play Red Star in the next round :D
     
  13. IskeFCRS

    IskeFCRS New Member

    Aug 6, 2007
    Thanks...
    Nonda isn't joining Red Star, he refuse contract offer from RS and accepted one from Emirates.
    I watched Zeta rangers sec. leg. I didn't seen much from ether side, but it seems that Rangers lacks match practice.
    Substitute N. Novo is very fast and smart player, and at my opinion. I like him very much.
     
  14. marakana11

    marakana11 Member

    Jun 20, 2007
    Cali
    Club:
    FK Crvena Zvezda Beograd
    Nat'l Team:
    Serbia
    Red Star Belgrade are through on away goals into Third Round of Uefa Champions League qualifying and will face Rangers Football Club of Scotland. The first game will be played on August 14th in Glasgow with the return leg two weeks later in Belgrade.

    Levadia Tallinn - Red Star Belgrade 2:1 (1:1) (2-2 on aggregate)
    Malov 33', Nahk 68' - Burzanovic 37'

    Starting 11:

    Red Star Belgrade:

    --------------------Randjelovic-------------------------
    Basta---------Gueye----------Tutoric--------Andjelkovic
    ----------------------Castillo---------------------------
    --------------Lucas-----------Milovanovic--------------
    ---------------------Burzanovic-------------------------
    -----------Koroman----------------Barkos---------------

    '55 Trajkovic on for Burzanovic.
    '61 Bronovicki on for Basta.
    '72 Milijas on for Barkos.

    [​IMG]

    Lucas fighting for the ball with two of the Levadia players.
     
  15. marakana11

    marakana11 Member

    Jun 20, 2007
    Cali
    Club:
    FK Crvena Zvezda Beograd
    Nat'l Team:
    Serbia
    Overall it was a game of luck. Red Star Belgrade started out the better of the two sides, but soon enough Levadia started attacking and went ahead on the 33rd minute. Four minutes later Igor Burzanovic struck back with a header which was assisted by Dusan Basta on the right hand side.

    It seemed then that Red Star Belgrade had control of the match, and they did. Until the 68th minute when the central midfielder of Levaida noticed that Randjelovic, the Red Star Belgrade goalkeeper was way off his line. He literally lobbed the goalkeeper from halfway of the pitch, similar to Xabi Alonso's chip of Shay Given last season at Anfield.

    Towards the ending of the game Red Star hit the post twice and thus the game ended 2-1 for Levadia, but not enough to see them through. Red Star gingerly go through on away goals and will face Glasgow Rangers.

    It will be a match I'm already looking forward to.
     

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