Crvena zvezda beat Spartak Trnava 2-1 after extra time in a dramatic encounter in Slovakia. Vladan Milojević's side produced a gritty team performance and grabbed a winner in the extra time to ensure passage into Champions League Play-off.
Ground: Štadión Antona Malatinského
Attendance: 18,032
Referee: Serdar Gözübüyük (Netherlands)
Goalscorers: Bakoš 6' - Ben 7', Radonjić 98'
Teams:
Spartak Trnava: Chudý, Kadlec, Tóth, Godál, Čonka, Jirka, Grendel, Sloboda, Greššák, Rada, Bakoš.
Substitutes: Rusov, Janso, Dangubić, Hladik, Miesenboeck, Jarović, Pekár.
Crvena zvezda: Borjan, Stojković, Savić, Degenek, Rodić, Jovančić, Krstičić, Simić, Ben, Radonjić, Stojiljković.
Substitutes: Popović, Jovičić, Pavkov, Ebecilio, Srnić, Babić, Gobeljić.
It was a frantic start to this match as the host took the lead after just 6 minutes of play. Marek Bakoš beat Milan Borjan after a sweeping move from the hosts. It was an awful start, but thankfully our team didn't give up.
Just a minute later we were level. Nikola Stojiljković found himself in an unusual position out right, but he sent a pinpoint cross that was met by Ben with a leaping header that flew into the net with Martin Chudý powerless to get to it.
Our Comorian forward's goal meant that the score were level over two legs. The hosts' edge over Crvena zvezda was gone and it showed. Spartak's gameplan of defending with everything they've got had to change and it was Vladan Milojević's side who looked more likely to use the momentum and take control of the tie.
Nemanja Radonjić tried a few of his trademark runs down the left flank, but Spartak defenders did well to close him down as Zvezda struggled to cope with the hosts' increasing roughness.
Veljko Simić caused problems for Radoslav Látal's team with his pace and one of his runs ended with a bad foul from Trnava's Boris Godal, who was lucky to escape with just a yellow card.
First half ended with Zvezda the better team, but it remained 1-1.
The champions of Serbia looked the better side after the break with the hosts often relying on fouls to stop Crvena zvezda.
Milan Rodić and Ben tried to beat Chudý from a couple of free kicks in good areas, but neither was on target. Zvezda increased pressure as the match approached it's final stages.
Milan Pavkov, who scored a brace against Spartak Subotica just 48 hours earlier, came on with 15 minutes remaining as he replaced Nikola Stojiljković.
Borjan made an important stop on 82 minutes to keep Marek Bakoš out as Trnava carved out a rare goalscoring chance.
After 90 minutes it was still 1-1 and the teams focused on extra time.
Crucial moment came eight minutes into first half of extra time when Pavkov and Ben combined beautifully to create a chance for Nemanja Radonjić. The tricky winger kept his cool and finished high into the roof of Chudý's net to the delight of visiting fans. Such an important goal for Crvena zvezda!
There was still time for some more drama, but Milojević's players never looked like surrendering their lead. Trnava even had a late penalty kick, but Godal could only hit the bar seconds before the final whistle.
This victory means that Crvena zvezda qualify for the UEFA Champions League Play-off against FC Salzburg.