"Another disciplined defensive display has left Red Star on the verge of reaching the last 16 of this competition for the first time since 2022. Dejan Stanković's second tenure has begun in near‑perfect fashion: excluding friendlies, he is yet to taste defeat, winning all six competitive matches since taking charge again."
"Red Star's home form adds further encouragement-they are unbeaten in their last four non‑friendly fixtures at the Rajko Mitić and have not lost a Europa League home match this decade beyond the group stage. In 2022, they defeated Rangers 2-1 in Belgrade in the round of 16, though they lost the tie 4-2 on aggregate."
"Still, they enter this second leg brimming with confidence after Franklin Tebo Uchenna's first‑half stoppage‑time goal in France earned them a crucial advantage, while goalkeeper Matheus Magalhães preserved the lead by saving both shots on target he faced."
Red Star Belgrade welcomes Lille to the Rajko Mitić Stadium for a decisive Europa League playoff second leg, holding a 1-0 advantage from the first match in France. Manager Dejan Stanković has begun his second tenure undefeated across six competitive matches, with the team conceding no goals in their last three outings and scoring 19 goals in six matches this month. Red Star's home record is formidable—unbeaten in four recent non-friendly fixtures at their stadium and without a Europa League home loss this decade beyond the group stage. However, they face a historical challenge: no home victory against French opposition in European competition since 1998. Franklin Tebo Uchenna's stoppage-time goal secured the first-leg advantage, while goalkeeper Matheus Magalhães made crucial saves. Vladimir Lučić is suspended due to a booking, but Uchenna is expected to start again.
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