Red Star Belgrade Coach Warns Hapoel Be'er Sheva Ahead of Champions League Clash

Ahead of their UEFA Champions League third qualifying round match on Tuesday, Red Star Belgrade coach Dejan Stanković spoke about their upcoming opponent, Hapoel Be'er Sheva. After Hapoel Be'er Sheva's victory over Vikingur, they face a much tougher challenge against Red Star in Hungary. Stanković highlighted the impact of Hapoel Be'er Sheva's former player Kings Kangwa, calling him the MVP of the championship and noting how much the team will miss him.

Stanković described Hapoel Be'er Sheva as brave but sometimes taking excessive risks, especially in knockout games. He emphasized that their team aims to neutralize Be'er Sheva's quick transitions and play behind the ball, which he identified as their strongest weapons. He also praised Red Star's technical skills and speed, urging his players to maintain hunger and resilience during difficult moments.

Regarding whether he wanted to face Hapoel Be'er Sheva, Stanković clarified that the choice was logistical due to proximity to Hungary, not preference. He acknowledged Vikingur as a tough opponent as well and stated there are no easy matches at this stage. Reflecting on Red Star's 2022 elimination by Maccabi Haifa, he said both Israeli football and Red Star have evolved since then, focusing on learning from the past to improve future outcomes.