Janjanin: Zvezda and Benfica exactly 40 years later, I hope for the same result

- Benfica has always been a big team in their country. At the time we played against them, they were the best Portuguese club, and later Porto and Sporting joined. It was a tough game in the first round. The generation from 1982, led by Vladimir Petrović, Dušan Savić and Cvjetin Blagojević, has left, and an in-between space has followed. Zvezda was trying to build a good team, and the duel with Benfica came in the first round of KES. Expectations were high then, as in every European game, because Zvezda beat good opponents and played in the 1979 UEFA Cup final. The match was attended by 80 or 90 thousand spectators. Benfica surprised us and took the lead with 2:0. I remember that Marko Elsner scored an own goal, and then Diamantino hit the crossbar from 30 meters - Janjanin began.

The former midfielder recalled the red and white reversals in the continuation of the match.

- I entered the game in the second half. Maybe Benfica relaxed then, so we quickly scored one goal and got back into the match. In the attack, we were led by grandmasters Miloš Šestić and Sulejman Halilović, who with their individual quality could pass every player. We scored two penalties through Halilović, and then Šestić masterfully passed Benfica's defense with a solo breakthrough, only as he knew how. He then delayed my return, and I placed the ball into the net for 3:2.

Janjanin scored twice from the penalty spot, and the former ace had no problems taking responsibility in key moments.

- Vladimir Petrović Pižon left the club several seasons ago in relation to the match with Benfica. We didn't have a permanent penalty taker. I remember when it was the first penalty that Sestic came up to me and said: "Take Rajko and take it." Soon, the second penalty arrived, which I also took. Before the game, it was not known who would shoot the penalty, if we had that chance.

Rajko Janjanin pointed out that the victory against Benfica is one of his favorite matches in the Zvezda jersey, but he also remembered the match against Barcelona in 1982.

- Although we lost in the second leg, and we held on until the 70th minute, it was a really big victory before that at the Maracana. The atmosphere is always good when there is a triumph, but it was beautiful then. I had some good games in Zvezda, but we didn't manage to win some. An example is Barcelona at Maracana in 1982. Then I scored two goals, but we were defeated against Maradona and the rest of the Spanish team. It's great that Barcelona is coming to Maracana again. Benfica is remembered for its turnaround. I was not a goal player, but a midfielder, and I was more in charge of organizing the game and assisting. However, the hat-trick against the team from Portugal was forever remembered.

After 40 years on the same date, on September 19, Crvena Zvezda will welcome Benfica to Maracana in the new format of the Champions League.

- I hope that it will be 3:2 again, and that some new hero will appear. It is a great success that Crvena Zvezda is a participant in the Champions League. Nowadays, being next to such big teams is something extraordinary. The draw is difficult, anyone Zvezda can play with. Objectively, I think that we should not "take off", but enjoy it. Of course, we have to do our best, and if we get through it would be a great success. I hope the players believe, but above all they should enjoy themselves and give their best. It will be inconvenient for every team to play in Belgrade and they will all have to go through the famous tunnel. It will not be easy for the opponents - concluded Rajko Janjanin.

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