State Champions 1995.

St. George's Day, May 6, 1995, will forever remain in the hearts of the star players. Then, in the jubilee 100th derby, after a turnaround at Marakana, Partizan was defeated 2:1. The scorers for the big victory, at the very end of the match, were Darko Kovačević from the penalty spot and Mitko Stojkovski, the hero of the derby, for whom it was the only goal of the championship, but worth its weight in gold! An atmosphere to remember, 80,000 spectators at Marakana, and a festive atmosphere in the crowded north, with the inevitable torches and a grand championship celebration at the end. The season ended in a fantastic way – by winning the double crown!

In the summer of 1994, after one season, Ljupko Petrović returned to the club. There was a change in the playing staff, but a completely new team was created. The start was not encouraging, because in the first round at Karaburma they suffered a defeat against OFK Belgrade (1:2), so the red and whites were prematurely written off. Then came two draws in two derbies - Vojvodina (2:2), Partizan (1:1). The Red Star players soon defeated the same rivals, Vojvodina in Novi Sad with 3:0, with a fantastic game, and Partizan with 3:2, and our club broke out at the top of the table.

However, with first place came two unexpected defeats... The next derby at Partizan Stadium ended without a winner (2:2), but the decision was made in the 100th derby at Marakana. Crvena Zvezda won its 21st title, and in eight derbies against Partizan and Vojvodina, it did not feel the bitterness of defeat, with four wins and a draw each.

Zvezda's new and young team was truly the best, as was evident from the fact that the red and whites scored the most goals and conceded the fewest. Admittedly, the autumn part of the championship went to Vojvodina, which had two points more, but in the end the table looked like this: Crvena Zvezda (42), Partizan (38), Vojvodina (37)... Red Star's top scorers with 24 goals each were Darko Kovačević and Nebojša Krupniković.

- I knew who and what Crvena Zvezda was during my playing days in Osijek. As the coach of Vojvodina Novi Sad and Rad Belgrade, I got to know Red Star up close, as a formidable rival. I admit, after Bari and Tokio, I was skeptical about the creation of a new Red Star. However, in a short time, an excellent team was created, as well as great players. Only Crvena Zvezda can do that! In those difficult, most difficult times under sanctions, it maintained its fantastic level. Believe me, there is only one day of joy in Bari in a lifetime, but four years later I experienced the double crown as the happiest man of Red Star's eternal greatness - said Ljupko Petrović.