Red Star Belgrade Faces Fallout After Shocking Champions League Loss to Hapoel Be'er Sheva

Hapoel Be'er Sheva stunned Red Star Belgrade with a 2-0 victory in Belgrade, securing a 3-0 aggregate win and advancing to the Champions League playoff against Sabah. The unexpected defeat sparked severe criticism in Serbia, where local media described Red Star's performance as "catastrophic" and a "nightmare game." The highest player rating given by Serbian outlet Mondo was only 5.5, reflecting widespread disappointment.

Coach Dejan Stanković faced harsh scrutiny after the match. Reports indicate he resigned following the game, which he missed the post-match press conference for, leaving his assistant Nenad Sakić to address the media. Stanković received the lowest rating of 4, with criticism focusing on his poor decisions and his ejection during the match at a critical moment. Former Red Star striker Andrija Kaluđerović suggested the coach’s repeated failures to qualify the team for the Champions League have taken a heavy toll on him and the squad.

The atmosphere between players and fans deteriorated further when supporters expelled the team from the stadium, shouting "Get out of here," as the players attempted to thank and possibly apologize to them. Analyst Dejan Čelar compared Red Star’s approach to Turkish clubs relying on expensive signings without tactical improvements, noting no progress since Stanković’s early tenure.

The loss marks a significant setback for Red Star, who now face an uncertain future as they regroup after this humiliating exit from European competition. Meanwhile, Hapoel Be'er Sheva continues their Champions League journey, defying expectations on the continental stage.