Almost a year ago, I had the honor to attend one of the biggest games of my favorite club in the previous decade. After many bad seasons, trying to qualify for a European competition, we finally came to a position where it became quite possible. The last time we participated in a European competition was 10 years ago. With the arrival of a new coach, team look compatible on the ground and physically strong, only a little experience in certain moments is needed. After we eliminated Sparta from Prague in the third round of qualifications, with two wins and a total score of 3:0, we found ourselves at the Europa League PLAY-OFF's where Krasnodar waited for us.
The Russian team was given by everyone the role of favorite in this two legs, and on paper it was much stronger and four times more expensive than Red Star. And I was afraid that this is the end of the road to this year's qualifications. After the first match in Russia on their newly built "space" stadium where my team lost 3: 2, the impressions were divided. Overall, in the field Krasnodar looked much more stable and experienced. In their team there are players from Russian national team, as well as from Sweden and many overpaid internationals. But Red Star played tactically mature and never stop fighting until the end, and despite the defeat, it still had an active result. Everything was possible in the second decisive game. The calculation was clear. We need a victory to enter the group phase of the Europa League.
From the moment I entered the stadium, I knew that this was it, and that we could win and advance further. Unbelievable energy was felt in the air that we managed to transfer from the stands to the players. 50 000 people cheered and supported our team during the whole game. From a loud noise, I could not hear a buddy beside myself talking to me. The fans recognized the will of players to win this game, so they started to go up and louder to sing and cheer. All this paid off after we were taken the lead in the seventh minute with the goal of our left wing Radonjic. The stadium exploded, but literally. Delirium of excitement at the stands. And if remained like this to the end, with this result, we would go further. Now everything was on Krasnodar. They had to attack, leaving a lot of space for a counter attack. On several occasions, we could give another goal but the post was the ally of the Russian team. At half-time, we go to 15 minute break with the result that lead us through.
The second half-time has not even begun properly, and Kanga, our playmaker scored a goal from 35 meters in the upper left corner of goalkeeper Krasnodar. What a goal it was ... .. I do not believe it even today. The stands shaken ten minutes after that unbelievable hit. Euphoria slowly grew even more, and as the end of the match moved closer, we began to believe that, it was it. But with that, tension and fear also grew. Krasnodar strongly pressed our defense, did not give us a chance to come to breath. The referee began to judge in their favor and ultimately awarded them a penalty ten minutes before the end. The Swedish international Granquist managed to score and to give hope to his team. For a second, the stadium was in dead silence, but the fans know that players need support, so we began to cheer the players even harder. Ten minutes, Krasnodar attacked, they have been 20 meters from the goal constantly. Several times they were given free kicks after which our goalkeeper quite well intervened and prevented the second goal of Krasnodar. The second goal would also mean the elimination of my team. Everyone was in defense as one. From minute to minute, the tension grew, on stands, but also on the pitch. Everyone slowly became nervous. After 90 minutes of the regular part of the match and 7 minutes of extra time, the referee whistled the end, and my team have qualified for an European competition after 10 years. On the stands, craziness!!! Adrenaline because intense match ending and euphoria due to the placement in the Europa League dominated over 50,000 people.
Later in the group phase, we met with Arsenal, Cologne and Bate Borisov. As the second in the group we went to a knock out stage where CSKA Moscow kicked us out with a total score of 1: 0. Russian revenge for the elimination of Krasnodar. But in spite of this, this was one of the bigger successes of my club after winning the UCL in 1991.
I hope that this season we could enter in the Champions League and we are on verge of that, but we will see how that's gonna end. I'am very positive about it.
I could't put my own photos in article cause I don't have it. It is not recommended to take photos and record videos on the north stand where I was been among all other Red Star Fans. You can do that on on every other, except north stand. When you are on that one stand, you must respect that.
I hope you enjoyed while reading this article. Thanks for stopping by.
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