A frustrating night ended in defeat for the red and whites as they conceded two second-helf goals against a clinical Hoffenheim side in the Europa League grpup stage opener.
Ground: Rhein-Neckar-Arena
Referee: Alejandro Hernández (Spain)
Goalscrers: Baumgartner 64’, Dabbur 90+3’
TSG Hoffenheim: Baumann, Rudy, Posch, Vogt, Akpoguma, Sessegnon, Grillitsch, Baumgartner, Gaćinović, Dabbur, Belfodil.
Substitutes: Pentke, Bruun Larsen, Geiger, Bebou, Samassékou, Adamyan, Skov, Bogarde, Klauss.
Crvena zvezda: Borjan, Gajić, Eraković, Milunović, Degenek, Rodić, Sanogo, Nikolić, Spiridonović, Katai, Falcinelli.
Substitutes: Popović, Ćopić, Gobeljić, Pankov, Petrović, Simić, Radulović, Ben, Gavrić, Vukanović, Pavkov, Krstović.
Crvena zvezda made a return to the Europa League Group stage after three years and were pitted again with a German side in Hoffenheim, along with Liberec of Czech Republic and Gent of Belgium.
First matchday saw us make the trip to what was arguably the hardest fixture of the group and Dejan Stanković’s team produced an improved performance, albeit with no points to show for it.
After a goalless 45 minutes in which we’ve had a great chance through Diego Falcinelli, second half brought a bit more frantic football and it clearly suited the hosts, who took the lead after a clinical counter-attack. Baumgartner volleyed into the roof of the net from close range, leaving Milan Borjan no chance.
Crvena zvezda Head Coach Dejan Stanković was sent to the stands by the Spanish referee after some strong protests and two cautions in quick succession. The boss was unhappy with the build-up to the opening goal, but the protests brought no joy to the team.
The red and whites gave it a good go in pushing forward and forced a few corners, but no real opportunities were to come. The German side struck again deep in the stoppage time through Israeli striker Dabbur to end Zvezda’s hopes of snatching a point at Rhein-Neckar-Arena.