Red Star Belgrade vs Krasnodar – Europa League Preview

Red Star Belgrade vs Krasnodar – Europa League Preview

Red Star Belgrade vs Krasnodar – Thursday 20:00 BST/21:00 CET – Marakana, Belgrade

Red Star Belgrade vs Krasnodar will take place at the Marakana in Belgrade.  (ANDREJ ISAKOVIC/AFP/Getty Images)

Red Star Belgrade vs Krasnodar will take place at the Marakana in Belgrade. (ANDREJ ISAKOVIC/AFP/Getty Images)

Krasnodar hold the advantage after what had been a thrilling first leg between Krasnodar and Red Star Belgrade from Serbia. Krasnodar had taken a 2-0 lead in the 46th minute, with young star Ivan Ignatyev scoring his first European goal to make it 1-0 before Red Star pulled one back in the 57th minute via Slavoljub Srnić. Sergey Petrov’s goal in the 66th minute would have given Krasnodar a comfortable 3-1 lead going into the second leg, but Aleksandar Pesić scored five minutes later, and the final score ended up being 3-2.

The scoreline should have been more decisive in Krasnodar’s favour, however. Krasnodar’s midfielder Mihailo Ristić scored a stunning goal from outside the box that hit the underside of the crossbar and came down behind the goal line. The referee, however, did not think that the ball was across the line, and with goal line technology not available in UEFA matches, the play was waved off.

The two away goals could become a major headache for Krasnodar when the game heads to Serbia for the second leg. Playing at home at the Marakana Red Star are known for being able to turn on the heat. Even a 1-0 victory would be enough for the Serbians to advance, which means that Krasnodar’s head coach Igor Shalimov will have to find a small balance between attacking and defending.

The best strategy would be to sit deep and wait to hit Red Star on the counterattack. This could work well for Krasnodar, particularly since superstar Fedor Smolov should be available to start. He could replace young Ivan Ignatyev up front. The 18-year-old scored the opener against Red Star last week at the same time. However, he could be deemed too inexperienced for the second leg. Furthermore, Smolov is a proven goalscorer, who is in high demand in Europe. A fast striker Smolov could be the key for Krasnodar to advance to the group stage.

Red Star Belgrade vs FK Krasnodar – Player to Watch Out For

Richard Boakye #14 – Red Star Belgrade

The Ghanaian international striker has already plundered seven goals in the Europa League alone to add to his two domestically after he made his loan from Latina Calcio permanent this summer. Only 24 years old, he has represented eight different clubs in three countries, including five loan spells, but appears to have finally found a parent club where he can flourish. His strike this season is an astonishing goal every 72 minutes, and so far he has been rotated in for Europe League matches so has been kept relatively fresh.

Richard Boakye is Red Star Belgrade's player to watch. (Photo by Srdjan Stevanovic/Getty Images)

Richard Boakye is Red Star Belgrade’s player to watch. (Photo by Srdjan Stevanovic/Getty Images)

Ivan Ignatyev #85 – FK Krasnodar

The talented 18-year-old has forced his way into the first-team squad this season and has been rewarded with three starts already, one of which led to a grand winner deep into added time in the frantic clash with Akhmat Grozny. The guiding principle of club owner Sergey Galitskiy’s investment has always been a strong youth setup, and Ignatyev is prime vindication of the policy. Make no mistake though, Ignatyev is in the reckoning by rights, not default; his temperament, close control, balance and confidence in front of goal make him a genuine and dangerous option. This was evident when he scored the opener against Red Star in the first leg. With Smolov back from injury Ignatyev might not start this match but could come on later in the game, especially if Krasnodar need a late goal.

Ivan Ignatyev (l.) celebrates a goal with his teammates. (Photo by Epsilon/Getty Images)

Ivan Ignatyev (l.) celebrates a goal with his teammates. (Photo by Epsilon/Getty Images)

Red Star Belgrade vs Krasnodar – Match Stats

  • Krasnodar have never failed to make it through to the group stages of the Europa League
  • Krasnodar have only won two of their last five home European matches, and have kept a clean sheet just twice in their nine home European matches
  • Red Star have conceded a single goal in their last eight matches in all competitions
  • Red Star have won just once in their last eight Europa League away matches, but have scored in six of those

Futbolgrad Prediction: Red Star Belgrade vs Krasnodar 2-2

Red Star Belgrade vs Krasnodar – Possible Lineups

Red Star Belgrade

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Borjan – Stojkovic, Savic, Frimpong, Andjelkovic – Le Tallec, Donald – Ricardinho, Kanga, Milic – Boakye

Manager: Vladan Milojevic

FK Krasnodar

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Sinitsin – Petrov, Granqvist, Martynovich, Ramirez – Zhigulev, Gazinskiy – Claesson

Manager: Igor Shalimov

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Manuel Veth is a freelance journalist and social media junior editor at Bundesliga.com. He is also a holder of a Doctorate of Philosophy in History from King’s College London, and his thesis is titled: “Selling the People’s Game: Football’s transition from Communism to Capitalism in the Soviet Union and its Successor States,” which will be available in print soon. Originally from Munich, Manuel has lived in Amsterdam, Kyiv, Moscow, Tbilisi, London, and currently is located in Victoria BC, Canada.  Follow Manuel on Twitter @ManuelVeth.

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