Red Star Belgrade Includes Former Maccabi Player Derick Lukassen Ahead of Hapoel Be'er Sheva Clash

Hapoel Be'er Sheva learned on Tuesday that if they advance to the UEFA Champions League playoff, they will face the winner between Danish club Aarhus and Azerbaijani club Sabah. However, before that, the Israeli team faces a tougher challenge against Red Star Belgrade, the Serbian champions, who are seen as the main obstacle to Be'er Sheva's first-ever qualification to the premier European competition.

Red Star Belgrade's squad for the playoff, announced by coach Dejan Stankovic, includes Derick Lukassen, a former Maccabi Tel Aviv player. Local Serbian media report that Lukassen, the new signing for Red Star, is expected to make his debut against the Israeli side. The Ghanaian defender scored at the last World Cup representing Ghana and had an impressive Champions League campaign last season with Cypriot club Pafos.

If Lukassen plays, it will be his fourth match against Hapoel Be'er Sheva, holding a record of three wins and one draw against them. Alongside Lukassen, Red Star's squad also features Luzio Luiz and Israeli player Mohammed Abu Fani, who is almost certain to start in the lineup. This matchup represents a significant test for Be'er Sheva as they aim to make history by reaching the Champions League group stage for the first time.