Crvena Zvezda take on the visitors Pyunik Yerevan in the first leg of UEFA Champions League qualification semifinals. The match will be played on Wednesday, August 3rd at Stadion Rajko Mitić (Belgrade).
Crvena Zvezda continues to be the No. 1 power in Serbia. The "Stars" quoted as a football giant since the days of Yugoslavia. Suffice it to recall the victory in the European Cup 3 decades ago, at the very beginning of the 90s. The power of that generation is now gone. But, largely thanks to the powerful support of the controversial and hated sponsor, Gazprom, it turns out year after year to stamp titles in the domestic arena. Even in the last draw, although Partizan was very good in 2021/2022. There is something to be proud of in European competition. In 2018 and 2019, the Serbs made their way to the group stage of the Champions League. Then they were knocked out in qualification, but in the Europa League they made their way to the spring playoffs twice.
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Pyunik became one of the main sensations in this qualification. The "Academy" began with the fact that in the spring they won the championship title. Far from the first of its history, but at the same time, before that, "gold" was taken a long time ago, in 2015. But even now, after a short summer vacation, Yeghishe Melikyan's wards are noisy in qualifying. First, they tortured a pass over the CFR: they stood "to zero" at home, and hold on to 2-2 draw in Cluj, and knocked out the Romanians Dan Petrescu on penalties. Even more notable was knock out of Dudelange in the following round. At home, the champion of Luxembourg lost, however, minimally. But then, away, having conceded first, the visitors from the Caucasus managed to answer with 4 goals. Juricic was especially good in the 2nd half, putting his team ahead after the break and making the final 4-1 in the 85th minute. Now the Bosnian will have a chance to prove himself against one of the main clubs of the entire former Yugoslavia.
Pyunik relatively often enters European competitions, however, without achieving serious success there. So, it is not surprising that for the champion of Armenia it will be the first trip to Belgrade. Pyunik is the football Cinderella of this qualification, but, perhaps, they have reached their maximum. We bet on the victory of Crvena Zvezda with a handicap of "-1.5 goals".
Prediction for the match: Crvena Zvezda to win with -1.5 handicap.
