Crvena zvezda kept a 100% home record as well as 100% record in Superliga with a good 2-0 win over Radnički on Sunday evening.
Ground: Rajko Mitić Stadium
Attendance: 7,214
Referee: Igor Stojilković
Goalscorers: Rodić 9' Ben 90+1' (pen)
Teams:
Crvena zvezda: Borjan, Gobeljić, Degenek, Babić, Rodić, Jovančić, Krstičić, Meleg, Ebecilio, Jevtović, Stojiljković.
Substitutes: Popović, Milijaš, Srnić, Joveljić, Ben, Savić, Terzić.
Radnički: Živković, Pankov, Aksentijević, Bondarenko, Ranđelović, Noma, Stanković, Mićić, Stojanović, Grbić, Mrkić.
Substitutes: Bulajić, Mijailović, Todorovski, Stanisavljević, Aleksa Jovanović, Aleksandar Jovanović, Nikodijević.
Crvena zvezda made it a great start to this Superliga clash with a ninth-minute opener. Defender Milan Rodić was on hand to poke home following a Crvena zvezda corner.
Radnički didn't surrender and continued to threaten as often as they could, with former Crvena zvezda midfielder Saša Stojanović spraying passes and searching for openings.
That said, it was the home team with the best chances. Jevtović had a lovely attempt just before the break, but his curling shot flew just wide
Nikola Stojiljković started the game following his injury in season's opener at Spartaks Jūrmala. He proved a handful for Radnički's defence despite not getting a sniff of goal.
Both teams struggled in very hot and humid conditions and produced a good game considering.
Slavoljub Srnić came on for the final 30 minutes and was greeted with big cheers following his return from injury. El Fardou Ben also came on as Zvezda looked to inject some pace in the final third.
It nearly resulted in a goal as Srnić instantly made an impact with his runs and passes.
Radnički were kept at bay by Zvezda's defensive movement and the Niš side never looked like scoring.
Dušan Jovančić came close near the end with a long-range attempt that flew just over the crossbar.
But it was the substitute Dejan Joveljić who created our second goal. The young striker charged towards Zivković's net and cooly passed for the onrushing Gobeljić who was in a great position to finish. Gobeljić was fouled, however, and referee Stojilković had no choice but to point to the spot. Ben dispatched the resulting penalty kick in the injury time to make it 2-0. The final whistle came shortly afterwards.
Crvena zvezda now prepare for Wednesday's return match at FK Sūduva Marijampolė.