Red Star Belgrade Coach Praises Mohamed Abu Fani After 4-0 Win

Red Star Belgrade coach Albert Riera expressed confidence in his squad following a 4-0 victory over Čukarički on August 23, 2026, in a Serbian SuperLiga match ahead of their Europa League playoff against Viktoria Plzeň. Riera made ten changes to the lineup, giving many players, including Mohamed Abu Fani, an opportunity to prove themselves. Abu Fani played as an advanced midfielder in Riera's 4-1-4-1 formation alongside standout player Hendel and was the only player to complete the full 90 minutes, earning a rating of 7.3. He completed 59 of 69 passes, including 40 of 49 in the opponent's half, recovered five balls, and assisted the second goal on a counterattack to Christian Balov.

After the match, Riera commented, "I understood who I can rely on. I gained many conclusions. If someone lacks energy and hunger, it is not enough. That is the minimum we want. We saw many positive things. The young players are very important for us; they can learn quickly." The win came after Red Star had secured a 3-0 victory in the first leg at Marakana stadium. This match served as a preparation and confidence boost before the crucial Europa League playoff encounter.