Hapoel Be'er Sheva Celebrates 1-0 Win Over Red Star Belgrade in Champions League Qualifier

Hapoel Be'er Sheva is jubilant following their 1-0 victory against Red Star Belgrade in the first leg of the third qualifying round for the UEFA Champions League on August 4, 2026. The team celebrated enthusiastically both on the pitch and in the locker room after the match. Coach Ran Kozuch praised his players for their performance, highlighting the excellent tactical preparation and game management, especially the effective pressing strategy.

Several players stood out, including Aliel Peretz, who was personally supported by Kozuch before and after the game. Other key performers were Zahy Ahmad, Miguel Vitor, and Itay Rotman, who once again proved his value. However, the club singled out Lucas Ventura, who delivered possibly his best game of the season, and right-back Guy Mizrahi, who made crucial defensive interventions and maintained consistent form.

The team expressed strong belief in their ability to succeed, despite Red Star's home advantage in the upcoming second leg. Kozuch demonstrated his capability to close gaps against theoretically stronger opponents even without Kings Kangwa, who recently transferred to Panathinaikos. The club now places the pressure on Red Star for the return match.

Itay Rotman, who suffered cramps late in the game, is expected to be fit for the next match. Pedro Amador, who made his debut, is set to start in place of the suspended Matan Baltaksa. The club acknowledged the suspension as legal but felt the referee was overly harsh, targeting them throughout the second half. Igor Zlatanovic, who left the field after a head injury, is also expected to be available for the next fixture.