One of the teams that did not win a single point after three rounds of the new Champions League format is Red Star. The champion of Serbia mostly lost games smoothly, the closest to a point was at the start, when he lost to Benfica (2:1) in Belgrade, and tonight (21), also at the "Rajko Mitić" stadium, awaits the toughest test in the competition so far.
Vladan Milojević's team will host Barcelona, which is perhaps the best team in Europe at the moment. In just a few days, Blaugrana convincingly defeated Bayern Munich in the Champions League (4:1), and then Real in Madrid (4:0). ). Meanwhile, Hansi Flik's team was safe in the city derby against Espanyol (3:1), so anything but a sure victory in Belgrade would be a huge surprise.
- At this moment, the best team in Europe and the world is coming to us. We will play against a team that is absolutely at its peak in all phases of the game. They play with inspiration, enthusiasm, they are full of self-confidence, they have a lot of young players, and the coach brought something of his own - Milojević said in the announcement of the match.
Zvezda and Barcelona played two epic matches in Belgrade. We remember the match from 1982 and the masterpiece of Diego Armando Maradona, who with a phenomenal lob shot made the whole "Maracana" applaud him - Barca won 4:2. Fourteen years later, in 1996, Zvezda was no longer in the European top, but it was a great match against the terrifying Barca line-up consisting of Ronaldo Nazario da Lima, Hristo Stoichkov, Luis Figo, Pep Guardiola, Laurent Blanc... It ended 1:1 and Barca passed to the 3rd round of the Cup of Cups, because they won the first match 3:1.
Whatever teams Barça and Zvezda had back then, the impression is that now, 28 years later, the difference is even greater, and the "red and white" strategist is aware that his team is facing a difficult task.
- It is very difficult for them to have a flaw, but we need to focus on ourselves. We will give everything to oppose Barcelona in the best way in front of full stands and try to achieve what we imagined in training - Milojević said.
Rafinha, Levandovski, Olmo, Pedri, Jamal... Barcelona has a phenomenal team, but it seems that young Jamal, who shone at the European Championship this summer, is in the foreground. Despite that, one Zvezda player thinks he is better than the Spanish representative.
- This is the Champions League, our stadium, the stands will be full, I am glad to play against the great Barcelona. We will fight, because we feel that everything is possible in front of our audience. I played against Jamal at the European Championship for players born in 2007. A great player, I will go out and show that I am better than him - Andrija Maksimović is full of confidence.
The derby on tonight's program is definitely at "Meaca", where Inter and Arsenal are playing. The Nerazzurri narrowly beat Venezia (1:0) on Sunday, coach Simone Inzaghi is facing some criticism, but he is not too worried ahead of the match with the Gunners.
- We are doing well. In the last eight games, we won seven times and drew once. I praised the players after Venice, because they did everything I asked of them - said Inzagi.
After Arsenal, "Nerzure" expects a derby against Napoli in Serie A. Inter has one point less than Antonio Conte's team, with a possible triumph he would take first place, so the journalists were interested to hear from Inzaghi - if he could choose, which game he would prefer wins, this one tonight or on Sunday against the Neapolitans.
- Right now I'm only interested in the game with Arsenal. We are playing against one of the best teams in Europe. We will have to have possession of the ball as much as possible. If Arsenal have more possession, then we will be in trouble - said Inzaghi.
Two giants are under pressure - Bayern and Atletico Madrid have only three points each after three rounds. And while the Bavarians are favorites in Munich against Benfica, the "Kolćoneros" have to struggle at the not very hospitable "Park of the Princes", where Paris Saint-Germain awaits them.
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