Red Star Belgrade Prepares for New Era Under Coach Albert Riera Ahead of Europa League Playoff

Red Star Belgrade is entering a new phase as it prepares for upcoming matches under new coach Albert Riera. The Serbian club, recently eliminated by Hapoel Be'er Sheva in the third qualifying round of the Champions League, will face Viktoria Plzen on Thursday in the Europa League playoff. Riera is expected to conduct his first full training session with the team on Monday, after which the future of midfielder Mohamed Abu Fani will become clearer.

Abu Fani, who joined Red Star less than two months ago following the dismissal of former coach Dejan Stankovic, has been linked with a possible loan or permanent transfer away from the club. Both Stankovic and Riera typically deploy Abu Fani as one of two attacking midfielders in a 4-1-4-1 formation. However, sources close to the player have ruled out a move to Israel at this time.

Riera has already requested the club to sign a striker and emphasized his primary goal is to improve each player's performance. Additionally, players previously training separately have been reintegrated into full team sessions. Red Star currently sits second in the Serbian league with nine points, one point behind leaders IMT but with two games in hand. Following the Europa League playoff match on Thursday, the team will play Čukarički in the Serbian league three days later.