Crvena zvezda were eliminated from this season't European competitions on Thursday evening after a 4-1 aggregate defeat at the hands of U.S. Sassuolo Calcio. A 1-1 draw at Rajko Mitić Stadium wasn't enough after a convincing Sassuolo win a week earlier. This elimination means that the nine-year wait for group stage European football still isn't over.
Ground: „Rajko Mitić“
Attendance: 22.314
Referee: David Fernández Borbalán (Spain)
Goalscorers: Katai 54' - Berardi 28'
Teams:
Crvena zvezda: Kahriman, Cvetković, Phibel, Le Tallec, Ristić, Donald, Poletanović, Katai, Mouche, Ruiz, Vieira.
Substitutes: Supić, Petković, Luković, Rendulić, Babunski, Srnić, Sikimić.
Sassuolo Calcio: Consigli, Magnanelli, Cannavaro, Biondini, Duncan, Peluso, Acerbi, Politano, Kosok, Matri, Berardi.
Substitutes: Pegolo, Antei, Falcinelli, Sensi, Mazzitelli, Trotta, Letschert
Italian side progress to the UEFA Europa League Group Stage after a well-deserved win over two legs.
But Zvezda players started the game with a clear desire to attack and try to score. This was greeted by the fans, but it also gave the visitors many opportunities to reach Kahriman's goal with simple counter-attacks. Berardi and Politano were particularly dangerous and just before half-hour mark the former had scored after a well-woked move.
That goal cleared any remaining doubts about which team will be playing in Europe come September, but Miodrag Božović's players continued to fight for their red-and-white shirts. The Serbian champions came close early in the second half, but Vieira blasted over when presented with a virtually unmissable chance after a Pablo Mouche shot had been parried.
Zvezda were level on the night nine minutes into the second half when Aleksandar Katai played a one-two with Vieira and lashed a low left-footed shot into the far corner from the edge of the box.
There were half-chances on either side in the remainder of the match, but neither team showed enough to win.
Zvezda only lost once in six games in Europe this season (over 90 minutes), but it wasn't enough and the players and fans alike now must turn their attention to domestic competitions.
We now have to do well in Serbian Superliga to get another crack at European football next year.