Red Star Belgrade, the 1991 Champions League winner, has struggled to maintain its former glory in recent years. The Bosman ruling of 1995, which allowed players to move freely between clubs in Europe, significantly impacted the club by making it difficult to retain top talent.
In last year’s Champions League group stage, Red Star finished at the bottom of their group with just 1 point, behind Manchester City, Leipzig, and Young Boys. However, they remain dominant in domestic competitions, claiming their seventh consecutive national title.
This season, they sit atop the Serbian league with six wins and one draw, preparing to face Napredak this weekend. Red Star secured their spot in the Champions League by defeating Norway’s Bodo/Glimt 3-2 in the qualifying round.
On the other hand, Benfica, a two-time Champions League winner (1961 and 1962), has not reached the final since 1990. Last season, they finished third in their Champions League group, behind Real Sociedad and Inter but ahead of Salzburg.
They then advanced to the Europa League, defeating Toulouse and Rangers before being knocked out by Marseille in the quarter-finals. Domestically, Benfica finished second in the Portuguese league, trailing Sporting by 10 points.
Although they aim to improve this season, they have already dropped crucial points, losing 2-0 to Famalicao before bouncing back with wins against Casa Pia (3-0) and Estrela (1-0), followed by a 1-1 draw with Moreirense before the international break.
For Red Star, goalkeeper Glazer, midfielder Lucic, and reserve player Degenek are unavailable. Defender Spajic, a veteran of the squad, plays a crucial role, while forward Bruno Duarte (4 goals and 2 assists) leads the attack, supported by Ndiaye (4 goals) and Slovenian midfielder Elsnik (2 goals).
Over the summer, Red Star saw key players leave, including Dragovic (Austria Vienna), Hwang (Feyenoord), and Bukari (Austin), but they reinforced the squad with new signings like Djiga (Basel), Elsnik (Olimpija), and Krunic (Fenerbahce).
Benfica is missing several players, including defender Beste, midfielder Aursnes, and forward Tiago Gouveia.
In goal, Ukrainian international Trubin has taken over, supported by veteran Otamendi and rising star Antonio Silva in defense. In midfield, Turkish international Kökçu is set to support Greek striker Pavlidis (1 goal and 1 assist).
Argentine legend Di Maria (9 goals, 10 assists last season) is also a key figure. Benfica had to part ways with key players like Joao Neves (PSG), Marcos Leonardo (Al-Hilal), and Morato (Nottingham Forest) but brought in reinforcements, including defenders Beste (Heidenheim) and Carreras (Manchester United), as well as midfielders Barreiro (Mainz) and Renato Sanches (PSG).
Prediction
Benfica has been struggling in recent Champions League outings, collecting only two points from a possible 21. Meanwhile, Red Star has been in excellent form, going 12 matches unbeaten in the Serbian Super League and winning four of their last five home games.
Prediction: Red Star Belgrade 1 : 0 Benfica
