We've been eliminated from the 2020/21 Europa League after a 1-1 draw at San Siro. The Italian giants AC Milan progress on away goals after the tie ended 3-3 on aggregate.
Ground: San Siro, Milan
Referee Jesus Gil Manzano (Spain)
Goalscorers: Keesie 9' (pen) - Ben 24'
Bookings: Ibrahimović (Milan), Gobeljić, Srnić (Crvena zvezda).
Sent off: Gobeljić (second yellow card)
Milan: G Donnarumma,Calabria (65 Hernandez), Romagnoli, Tomori, Dalot, Meite, Kessie, Krunić (46 Rebić), Calhanoglu, Castillejo (65 Saalemaekers), Leao (46 Ibrahimović).
Substitutes not used: Tatarusanu, A Donaruma, Tonali, Kalulu, Diaz, Kjaer, Gabbia.
Crvena zvezda: Borjan, Gajić, Pankov, Sanogo, Degenek, Gobeljić, Srnić (46 Petrović), Kanga (69 Katai), Ivanić (84 Nikolić), Ben (69 Falco), Falcinelli (72 Pavkov)
Substitutes not used: Popović, Ćopić, Gavrić,Pavkov.
It was a night that will live long in the memory of Crvena zvezda fans. We've played AC Milan for the sixth time, and for the sixth time we failed to beat the Rossoneri. But our players did everything to win and on another day would have get the desired result.
It didn't start well. Franck Kessie scored for the hosts inside the opening ten minutes after VAR spotted a handball by Marko Gobljeić in the box. But our team showed no signs of fear and made Milan defend for long periods of the game.
El Fardou Ben was again the key man for Dejan Stanković's team. He's had a goal rightfully disallowed on 16 minutes before his free kick cannoned off the crossbar with Donnarumma beaten. But the Comorian's efforts were rewarded midway through the first half when he controlled the ball in the box and applied a terrific left-footed finish across Donnarumma and into the far corner to make it 1-1 on the night. It was a result that still suited the hosts because it was the Belgrade team who needed more goals in order to make it into Europa League round of 16.
Sadly, it was to prove the last goal of the match, but our team can be proud of the way they represented the club at San Siro in a clash of former European and World champions. Mirko Ivanić in particular caugh the eye and tormented Milan's defenders with his silky runs and impressive first touch.
In the end, late pressure yielded no dramatic winner as our hearos had to say farewell to the European competition until next season.