The packed stands of the Maracana, a symbol of Zvezda throughout history

Back in 1963, on September 1, the Crvena Zvezda stadium was officially opened, and 55,000 fans attended the premiere that day. Even though the stadium was not yet fully finished, a strong image was sent to the football world, so the star players named their home the Belgrade Maracana, following the example of the Brazilian stadium in Rio de Janeiro. In that period, without chairs in the stands, fans cheered on the Red Star in huge numbers, and from 1945 to the present day, they were overrun at many legendary matches.

By far the largest attendance ever at Maracana was recorded on April 23, 1975 at the match against Hungarian Ferencvaros when 96,070 fans watched the match. According to the testimony of the star players present at the stadium, it is believed that approximately 110 thousand souls were in the Maracana stands, which was the maximum capacity at that time.

There was always a demand for more tickets for Zvezda matches, and we remember the fantastic choreographies that helped to achieve numerous feats. It was in 1971 that we beat Panathinaikos 4:1 in front of 93,500 spectators. The eternal derby played one year after the match with Ferencvaros was watched by a total of 90,142 fans, and we won 1:0 in the famous 59th consecutive clash between two angry rivals.

The non-series feat over Real Madrid in 1975, 2:0, was watched live from the stands by 88,623 star fans who enjoyed the goals of Dragan Džajić and Ognjen Petrović. The duel with Karl Zeiss Jen was watched by only 600 fans less than the match with Real Madrid, and the celebration over Bayern in 1979 was watched by 87,400 supporters of the red and white. The legendary meeting with Barcelona in 1982 will be remembered for the heroic game of the red and white team, as well as Diego Maradona's goal in front of 85,227 spectators.

West Bromwich Albion fell on 7 March 1979 with a 1-0 victory at the popular Maracana, the stands filled with 84,405 fans. Another match of the eternals was on the list of the 10 most attended matches at the largest Serbian stadium, and in addition to the draw, it will be remembered for the fact that 83,813 people watched it live, while the match against Anderlecht in the quarter-finals of the KEŠ in 1982 was watched by 83,044 stars. .

The indicated number of fans present at the matches equals the number of tickets sold, while among star players there is an opinion that the Maracana stands were even more full.

Maracana will celebrate its 60th anniversary this year, and a spectacle awaits us on Saturday, September 2, at 8:00 p.m. in the match against Novi Pazar. There is no doubt that our club's stadium will once again illuminate the capital of Serbia, as well as that the fans will create an atmosphere that will be recounted for decades.

THE MOST ATTENDED MATCHES AT MARACANA:

1. Crvena zvezda - Ferencvaros 2:2 (96,070) - 24/04/1975.

2. Red Star - Panathinaikos 4:1 (93,500) - 14.04.1971.

3. Red Star - Partizan 1:0 (90,142) - 07.11.1976.

4. Red Star - Real Madrid 2:0 (88,623) - 19.03.1975.

5. Red Star - Carl Zeiss Jena 4:0 (88,000) - 24.03.19971.

6. Red Star - Bayern 3:2 (87,400) - 12/12/1979.

7. Red Star - Barcelona 2:4 85,227) - 20.10.1982.

8. Red Star - West Bromwich Albion 1:0 (84,405) - 07.03.1979.

9. Red Star - Partizan 0:0 (83,813) - 05/06/1984.

10. Red Star - Anderlecht (83,044) - 17.03.1979.