Crvena zvezda recorded a famous win away at 1.FC Köln in a thrilling Europa League encounter. A screamer of a goal from Richmond Boakye proved to be the decider.
Ground: Müngersdorfer Stadion, Köln
Attendance: 45,300
Referee: Bas Nijhuis (NED)
Goalscorer: Boakye 30'
Teams:
FC Köln: Horn, Meré, Sørensen, Heintz, Özcan, Lehmann, Jojić, Olkowski, Rausch, Guirassy, Córdoba
Substitutes: Kessler, Maroh, Höger, Osako, Clemens, Bittencourt, Klünter
Crvena zvezda: Borjan, Stojković, Le Tallec, Babić, Gobeljić, Donald, Krstičić, Kanga, Srnić, Radonjić, Boakye.
Substitutes: Supić, Frimpong, Račić, Milijaš, Milić, Adžić, Pešić.
Vladan Milojević's team started this Europa League encounter with a great attitude - show no fear and try to win. And it was the Belgrade team that looked in control with great positioning and calmness.
And our team should have taken the lead on 7 minutes, when Guelor Kanga was presented with a glorious chance to score. However, the Gabon international tried to round the goalkeeper and the chance was gone. But this chance was a signal to our team to continue to push forward.
Boakye and Radonjić in particular were busy in the final third with some clever flick-ons and runs that left the home defence exposed.
The best moment of the match came on the half-hour mark. Richmond Boakye controlled a ball well outside the box, turned and unleashed a thunderous drive that beat Horn and flew into the top corner to sent the travelling fans wild with joy.
Crvena zvezda looked good value for their lead and the German side's only effort before the break was a Miloš Jojić shot that went wide.
Second half saw a vastly improved display by the home team. They were knocking on the door for 45 minutes, but somehow Borjan remained unbeaten. Serbian midfielder Miloš Jojić was inspired against Crvena zvezda, but he was unlucky not to get himself on the scoresheet. He hit the post twice as Milojević's men held on.
There was another good chance for Bittencourt, but his poked shot ended up on Borjan's right-hand post.
As the match wore on, Zvezda looked more and more confident, holding the ball in the final minutes and preventing late drama in their own box. There were heroic displays across the team and the final whistle marked the start of some heart-warming celebrations by our players.
This win against a Bundesliga side means a lot to the players and the fans alike and it's sure to live in the memory for a very long time.
Elsewhere in Group H, Arsenal beat FC BATE in Belarus and are now topping the table with six points with Crvena zvezda in second place with four points.
Well done, Crvena zvezda!