Red Star Belgrade suffered an unpleasant defeat in Switzerland in their opening match of the Conference League league phase, squandering a 2-1 lead in the final 10 minutes. Lugano scored twice late on to claim all three points — 3-2 (1-1)!
We witnessed a rather entertaining match, at least in the first half, as both teams opted to play more openly, resulting in a greater number of chances. Red Star were generally the first to threaten early on, while Lugano looked for opportunities from the background.
Red Star also had the support of around 2,000 of their fans, who were spread across different sections of the stands, and it can be said that this gave the team additional motivation and a boost during the match.
Red Star created two major chances in the opening 10 minutes, first through Lučić and then Gaštarov. Both were long-range efforts, but they were very accurate, coming in the 10th and 11th minutes. On both occasions, the home goalkeeper managed to tip the ball around the post with his fingertips and send it out for a corner.
Just as Red Star were building up pressure, however, Lugano scored. Ajeti capitalized on a major defensive error by the visitors after Gudelj lost possession in midfield. Steffen then played a pass to his teammate in the six-yard box, and Ajeti had no trouble slotting the ball into an empty net in the 25th minute.
Red Star responded immediately. In the 32nd minute, the visitors put together a good move down the flank, which ended with Gaštarov setting up Elšnik. He struck the ball first time on the volley and sent it into the net.
The only other moment worth mentioning before halftime was Ajeti’s long-range effort, but Mateus was ready to react and prevent the danger.
There were virtually no clear-cut chances during the first 20 minutes of the second half, before two major moments unfolded in the space of just 60 seconds.
First, Lugano could have taken the lead after a golden opportunity when Behrens broke through one-on-one with goalkeeper Mateus. The Lugano player attempted to chip him, but his effort was badly executed in the 67th minute.
Just a minute later, Red Star took the lead. Rade Krunić made room for a shot on the edge of the penalty area and unleashed a powerful effort, with the ball finding the net after taking a deflection off another player.
Both teams then made changes to their approach. Red Star understandably wanted to protect their lead, while Lugano pushed forward in search of an equalizer.
In the 79th minute, Lugano had a chance that Mateus dealt with well, followed by a free kick from which Grgić struck Red Star players twice, even after the ball rebounded back to him.
Red Star then had an incredible opportunity to make it 3-1 in the 81st minute, but Dieng sent the ball sky-high from just 10 meters out. The punishment came only three minutes later.
Gaštarov failed to make contact with the ball while jumping inside the penalty area. It then fell to Moncada, who managed to put it into the net, sparking celebrations among the home players and coaching staff.
Red Star suffered another major shock in the 90th minute. The red-and-whites conceded a penalty after Bajo brought Beckham down on the edge of the penalty area. Grgić stepped up and took responsibility, putting the Swiss team ahead.
That also proved to be the final score, as there was no further change during the remaining four minutes of stoppage time.
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Source: Telegraf.rs, Foto: FK Crvena Zvezda
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