Mirko Ivanić scored one of the best goals of the season to give us a precious 1-0 win over Ludogorets and lift us to the top of our UEFA Europa League group table.
Ground: Rajko Mitić Stadium
Attendance: 21,814.
Referee: Jose Maria Sanchez (Spain).
Goalscorer: Ivanić 57
Crvena zvezda: Borjan, Gajić, Eraković, Dragović, Pankov, Srnić, Petrović (67 Krstičić), Kanga (80 Sanogo), Ivanić, Katai (46 Ben), Pavkov (80 Lazetić).
Substitutes: Popović, Krstičić, Falco, Stanić, Lazetić, Ben, Sanogo.
Ludogorets: Pat, Ikoko, Terziev, Plastun, Pinas, Goncalves (65 Cafumana), Badji, Jankov, Chibota (77 Rotariu), Despodov (65 Manu), Sotiriu.
Substitutes: Hristov, Kalina, Manu, Cafumana, Verdon, Rotariu, Mitkov, Kelovluev, Dimitrov.
A nervous affair in Belgrade needed something special and the former BATE man was again the provider. His beautiful curling shot from outside the area was worthy of winning any match - and tonight we were lucky that Mirko Ivanić is playing in red and white stripes.
Ludogorets were still harbouring slim clances of finishing third in the table and at least securing a place in the Europa Conference League after the rurn of the year. But their attacks were dealt with by Milan Borjan and his defenders as the match approached its ending.
The win lifts us into first place with a matchday to go, but there is an awful lot still to play for. Only a win over Braga in Portugal would guarantee us the top spot and direct passage into Europa League last 16 stage, while second place would require another knockout round before it.
We'll find out in two weeks - but for the time being, we can celebrate another season of reaching the knockout stages of a Euripean competition!