Crvena zvezda produced a breathtaking secon-half comeback to claim a priceless 3-1 win over Olympiacos in Belgrade.
Ground: Rajko Mitić Stadium
Referee: Benoît Bastien
Goalscorers: Ruben Semedo 37' - Vulić 62', Milunović 87', Boakye 90'
Crvena zvezda: Borjan, Gobeljić, Degenek, Milunović, Rodić, Cañas, Jovančić, García, Marin, Van La Parra, Tomané.
Substitutes: Popović, Pankov, Vulić, Jander, Petrović, Vukanović, Boakye.
Olympiacos: Sá, Torosidis, Semedo, Meriah, Tsimkas, Camara, Bouchalakis, Masouras, Benzia, Lovera, Guerrero.
Substitutes: Allain, Guilherme, Podence, El Arabi, Elabdellaoui, Valbuena, Papdopoulos.
Vladan Milojević's team started brightly at Rajko Mitić Stadium as red and whites welcomed Champions League football back to Belgrade. Both posides clearly saw tonight's match as an opportunity to get points on the board and it showed - we witnessed attacking football on either side.
Tomané led the line for Zvezda and used his physical presence well to keep the ball upfront and pass it on to our quick players on the wings.
The Greek side slowly built up steam and took over possession as play progressed. And they took the lead after Ruben Semedo squeezed a ball in at the far post from a narrow angle. It was a goal that Milan Borjan won't be re-watching in a hurry.
Our team chased what would be an equalizer after the break and Van La Parra came very close on 57 minutes, but he blasted over after a low cross from Gobeljić.
Miloš Vulić replaced Dušan Jovančić in midfield and made an instant impact as he started a move that led to our goal. Not only that he started it, but he also finished it off with a fine left-footed shot that beat José Sá to bring the house down at our "Marakana".
Olympiacos' Yassine Benzia had been sent off minutes earlier after picking up his second booking of the night, so Zvezda had almost half an hour to try and get another goal.
And it all went our way. Nemanja Milunović rose high to head us ahead with an unstoppable header five minutes from time to send the ground into raptures.
Richmond Boakye added another headed goal to make it 3-1 and save us from a nervy ending to this extraordinary game of football.
The final whistle brought huge celebrations for the team and fans alike. It's three points on the board. We are still fighting!