FM22 - A Red Star Belgrade Story

[Klippybo]

RED STAR BELGRADE
(or Crvena Zvezda if you prefer)

I really need to settle on a save and not **** things up by doing silly things so I have taken a few days off the game and have decided to go with Red Star Belgrade. I had a great save with them in FM21 however I didnt win the Champions League with them so lets see if I can do better this time around.

The most successful team in Serbian football history, Red Star have won 32 league championships, 25 national cups and also the European Cup and Intercontinental Cup in 1991. They have a longstanding rivalry with their city rivals Partizan Belgrade and they will be my main challengers.

This save will be a youth development save mixed in with a build the nation save as due to the registration rules in Serbian football I can only have 4 foreign players in the matchday squad and 1 player in the starting XI has to be U21 so I will be focused on solely bringing through young talent.

--

Founded - 1945
Nickname - The Star / The Red and Whites
Stadium - Rajko Mitic Stadium
Capacity - 53,000

--

SEASON BY SEASON RECORD​

SEASON	SUPERLIGA	KUP SRBIJE	UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE	UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE
2021-22	WINNERS	WINNERS	Play-offs	2nd Round
2022-23	WINNERS	WINNERS	Group Stage	1st Round
2023-24	WINNERS	WINNERS	Group Stage	-
2024-25	WINNERS	WINNERS	1st Round	-
2025-26	WINNERS	WINNERS	Group Stage	2nd Round
2026-27
2027-28

 

[Klippybo]

Winning the 1991 European Cup


PRE-SEASON

So I arrived at the club and after having a good root around the playing staff I am quite excited. It seems that we have a glut of promising young stars in our ranks (for domestic level) in our 4 squads - yes 4!!! Not only have I a first team and a U19 team but I have a B team called Graficar who play in the 2nd division and they also have a U19 squad who play fixtures! I will have to keep a close eye on all of these squads and cherry pick the best talent at the right time.

Despite having over £20m in the bank I was only given £2.5m to spend on transfers but I am not complaining about that - whatever they want to give me is fine as I am concentrating on developing my own talent rather than bringing people in. We are in the Champions League qualifiers so the group stages is the goal although the board will be happy if we reach the final playoff round.

--

PLAYERS OUT

Just the one so far! A 32y/o foreign attacking midfielder was never really going to fit into my plans so I sold Comoros international, Ben, to Aris Salonika for £250,000. I have transfer listed a few other players but there have been no takers thus far.

--

PLAYERS IN

I have brought in 3 players with 2 coming in on loan.

My first signing was that of Svetozar Markovic from Olympiakos. I had agreed a fee of £1.8m to bring him in permanently but he rejected that but was willing to join on loan instead. I have agreed an optional future fee as part of the deal so that is good. Markovic is a good young Serbian defender who can go far and I have high hopes for him.

I needed another left back so brought in an old Red Star player in the shape of Aleksa Terzic from Fiorentina. The loan deal is costing us £1.7m which is more than what the club sold him for originally but again I have an optional fee clause inserted. He should excel in the domestic football and strengthens us for our European campaign too.

My last signing was that of a young prospect. I paid Vojvodina £525,000 to sign their 17y/o attacking midfielder Lukijan Abadzija. He will play with my U19s for a start but he will get his chance in the future although I have a ton of prospects in that position!!!

--

SQUAD

It is decent enough for domestic level. I will go with young Milos Gordic in goal despite him being a lesser player than Borjan. In defense Dragovic and Markovic will be my first choice pairing however Erakovic is a fine young talent also. Terzic will be my LB and Piccini (one of my 4 permitted foreign players) will be on the right.

Krsticic and Ivanic will be my first choice CMs with Kanga going in at AMC while my wingers will be Katai and Falco however I am really excited about the prospects of Nikola Mituljikic as the 18y/o looks like a future star but alas Bayern Munich have an option to buy him back for just £8.75m!!!

Up front I will play Omoijuanfo despite him not being an advanced forward which I like but we will give it a go.

The likes of Borjan, Sanogo and Gobeljic are all transfer listed and if they do move on I will more than likely promote a youngster in their place.

--

SEASON AIMS

Win the league naturally. I would love to get to the group stages of the Champions League and earn all the money that goes with that but if it is not to be a decent run in one of the lesser continental competitions wouldnt go amiss instead!
​

 

[Klippybo]

JULY

Lineup - Gordic, Piccini, Markovic, Dragovic (Erakovic), Terzic (Rodic), Krsticic (Stanic), Ivanic, Motika, Kanga (Nikolic), Katai, Omoijuanfo*

This was a superb debut match for myself but more so for Ohi Omoijuanfo as my Norwegian striker helped himself to a hat-trick and also an assist. Motika is a young winger who came in for the injured Falco so for him to score twice is impressive. Terzic got injured and will be out for about a month.

--

UEFA Champions League Champions Path 2nd Qualifying Round 1st Leg

Lineup - Gordic, Piccini (Gajic), Markovic, Dragovic, Rodic, Krsticic (Nikolic), Ivanic (Stanic), Motika, Kanga*, Katai, Omoijuanfo (Zivkovic)

This wasnt a great performance by any means but we got the win thanks to 2 goals from Kanga and we were also helped by the fact that they had a man sent-off. A bit of work still to do in the 2nd leg but I am confident.

--

Lineup - Gordic, Gajic, Markovic, Dragovic, Rodic*, Krsticic, Ivanic (Nikolic), Motika, Kanga, Katai (Mituljikic), Omoijuanfo

Two domestic games played and both against a team called Radnicki! We won this one easily enough despite being without my first choice full backs.

--

UEFA Champions League Champions Path 2nd Qualifying Round 2nd Leg

Lineup - Gordic, Gajic, Markovic, Dragovic (Erakovic), Rodic, Krsticic (Nikolic), Ivanic (Stankovic), Motika (Mituljikic), Kanga, Katai, Omoijuanfo*

Job done. Omoijuanfo scored a first-half hat-trick to send us through into the next round however we collapsed in the 2nd half as we conceded 2 goals and they also had a goal disallowed.

--

Lineup - Gordic, Gajic, Markovic, Dragovic, Rodic, Krsticic, Ivanic (Nikolic), Motika (Mituljikic), Kanga, Katai (Zivkovic), Omoijuanfo*

Another 2 goals for Omoijuanfo! He has started this season on fire!!!!

--

SUMMARY

As starts of seasons go this has been pretty good! We have won all 3 league games by scoring 11 goals and not conceding any so that has been good while in the Champions League we edged out Kairat Almaty to set up a tie with Hungarian side Ferencvaros.

Omoijuanfo has banged in 9 goals in the first 5 games and while he isnt an advanced forward I am not missing someone playing in that role like I usually do!

--

PLAYER OF THE MONTH
OHI OMOIJUANFO

--

SUPERLIGA

​

 

[Klippybo]

Stevan Stojanovic

Stojanovic was captain of the 1991 European Cup winning side and became the first goalkeeper to captain a winning side. Despite being at the club for 9 years between 1982-91 he only made 97 appearances for the club.


AUGUST

UEFA Champions League Champions Path 3rd Qualifying Round 1st Leg

Lineup - Gordic, Gajic, Markovic (Pankov), Dragovic, Rodic, Krsticic (Nikolic), Ivanic, Motika*, Kanga (Falco), Katai (Mituljikic), Omoijuanfo (Diony)

A good result. While it may look like we won comfortably it wasnt like that at all. They had 2 goals disallowed and it wasnt until we got 2 late goals that we made the game safe.

--

Lineup - Gordic, Gajic, Markovic, Dragovic, Rodic, Nikolic, Ivanic (Stanic), Motika (Falco), Kanga (Knezevic), Katai (Mituljikic), Omoijuanfo*

We got a scare here for sure! We were 2-0 up and on easy street but somehow we let them back in the game and they equalised with 5min to go but thankfully we were awarded a penalty in injury time which Omoijuanfo tucked away to win us the game and complete his hat-trick.

--

UEFA Champions League Champions Path 3rd Qualifying Round 2nd Leg

Lineup - Gordic*, Gajic, Markovic (Erakovic), Dragovic, Rodic (Terzic), Krsticic, Ivanic (Nikolic), Motika (Falco), Kanga (Knezevic), Katai, Omoijuanfo

A solid away performance. They were the better side but we hit them on the break and Katai scored a fine goal. We will play RB Salzburg in the final playoff round so that will be a tough one to negotiate our way through.

--

Lineup - Gordic, Piccini (Gajic), Erakovic, Dragovic, Rodic, Nikolic, Ivanic (Stanic), Motika, Kanga (Knezevic), Katai (Mituljikic), Omoijuanfo*

Another win but it should have been far more comfortable as we missed a load of chances plus Kanga had a penalty saved. I rested a few players for the match against Salzburg.

--

UEFA Champions League Champions Path Playoff 1st Leg

Lineup - Gordic, Piccini (Gajic), Markovic, Dragovic, Rodic (Terzic), Krsticic, Ivanic, Motika (Falco), Kanga, Katai (Mituljikic), Omoijuanfo (Zivkovic)

I have no idea how we escaped with a draw here. We had 2 shots, both off target, all game while they had over 20 yet they couldnt find a way past Gordic. We have an uphill battle to get something in the 2nd leg now away from home.

--

Lineup - Gordic, Gajic, Markovic, Dragovic, Rodic (Terzic), Krsticic (Nikolic), Ivanic (Knezevic), Motika*, Kanga (Falco), Katai, Omoijuanfo

We maintain our 100% record with this win. Motika scored a stunning goal from the edge of the area that crashed in off the crossbar and he also claimed an assist.

--

UEFA Champions League Champions Path Playoff 2nd Leg

Lineup - Gordic, Gajic, Markovic, Dragovic (Erakovic), Terzic, Krsticic, Ivanic (Nikolic), Motika (Falco), Kanga, Katai (Mituljikic), Omoijuanfo (Zivkovic)

Meh. The group stages elude us as Salzburg complete the job and deservedly so as we didnt lay a glove on them in truth plus they missed a penalty. Disappointing but we move on.

--

Lineup - Gordic, Piccini, Erakovic, Dragovic (Pankov), Rodic, Nikolic*, Ivanic (Stanic), Motika (Mituljikic), Falco, Katai (Zivkovic), Omoijuanfo

Despite resting several players we make it 7 wins from 7 in the league and Ohi Omoijuanfo has scored in all 7 matches!

--

SUMMARY

This was a tough month with games coming thick and fast. We still have a perfect record in the league but alas so do Partizan Belgrade and they havent conceded a goal yet but we play them next.

In Europe we knocked out Ferencvaros but came unstuck against RB Salzburg as we were eliminated in the final playoff round off the Champions League. The fact that we were so far behind the Austrian side is a bit of a worry but they have some top quality players.

That put us into the Europa League group stages and we have a tricky group as we will play Olympiakos, Galatasaray and Legia Warsaw.

I have just realised that the transfer window in Serbia closes in mid September which is weird.

--

PLAYER OF THE MONTH
OHI OMOIJUANFO

--

SUPERLIGA

​

 

[Klippybo]

Darko Pancev

Pancev was one of Europe's deadliest strikers in 1991 when Red Star won the European Cup. He scored 84 goals in just 92 appearances for the club before moving to Inter Milan for £7m.


SEPTEMBER

Lineup - Gordic, Piccini, Markovic, Dragovic*, Terzic (Rodic), Krsticic, Ivanic (Nikolic), Motika (Falco), Kanga, Katai, Omoijuanfo (Zivkovic)

A huge win as we come out on top in the Eternal derby. Both sides headed into the game with a perfect record but we got the win when Kanga converted a penalty in the first half which was the first goal that they have conceded all season.

--

UEFA Europa League Group D

Lineup - Gordic, Piccini, Markovic*, Dragovic (Erakovic), Terzic (Rodic), Krsticic, Ivanic (Stankovic), Motika (Falco), Kanga (Knezevic), Katai, Omoijuanfo

I dont know if we are good enough to get results against Olympiakos and Galatasaray so this was a must win match for us and we did just that as Markovic headed in the only goal of the game.

--

Lineup - Gordic, Piccini, Markovic, Dragovic, Terzic, Krsticic (Stankovic), Ivanic, Falco (Mituljikic), Kanga*, Motika, Omoijuanfo

Sure this was a good away victory but I am ****** off because we got a man sent-off while they had 8 players yellow carded!!!!


--

Lineup - Gordic, Piccini (Gajic), Markovic, Dragovic, Terzic (Rodic), Nikolic, Ivanic (Stankovic), Falco (Mituljikic), Knezevic*, Motika, Omoijuanfo

We just keep on winning!!!! Motika had another game on the left wing and he scored a decent goal but it was young Nikola Knezevic who caught the eye as he assisted 1 goal and was imperious all game.

--

Lineup - Gordic, Piccini (Gajic), Pankov, Erakovic, Terzic (Rodic), Krsticic, Ivanic, Falco, Knezevic (Nikolic), Mituljikic (Katai), Zivkovic

I was forced to rest several players here but we still ground out a win to make it 11 wins out of 11. TSC sacked their manager immediately after this game.

--

UEFA Europa League Group D

Lineup - Gordic, Piccini (Gajic), Markovic, Dragovic, Terzic (Rodic), Krsticic, Ivanic, Falco, Knezevic (Nikolic), Katai (Motika), Omoijuanfo (Zivkovic)

This is tough to take as we were the better side but failed to take our chances. A load of my players are really not performing at the minute with the likes of Katai and Piccini being the worst.

--

SUMMARY

Despite having won all of our league games and doing not too bad in Europe I am not at all happy with how we are playing. Sure I have had to rotate the team a fair bit and that has affected performances but I need my players to step up their levels for sure.

I made one final signing before the end of the transfer window as I shelled out £500,000 to Cukaricki for their 18y/o RB Victor Rogan. He is one for the future for sure and hopefully he will develop nicely.

--

PLAYER OF THE MONTH
SVETOZAR MARKOVIC

--

SUPERLIGA

​

 

[Klippybo]

Sinisa Mihajlovic

Mihajlovic was a left back who was a set piece specialist. He only had 2 years with Red Star making 38 apps and scoring 9 goals but he was part of the European Cup winning side. He was sold to Roma for £4.5m and had a stellar career in Italy both as a player and as a manager.


OCTOBER

Lineup - Gordic, Piccini*, Erakovic, Dragovic (Pankov), Terzic, Krsticic, Nikolic (Stankovic), Falco (N.Mituljikic), Kanga, Katai (Motika), Omoijuanfo (Zivkovic)

Sure we won but the fact they scored a goal after they were reduced down to 8 men really ****** me off big time!!!

--

Lineup - Gordic, Piccini, Markovic (Erakovic), Dragovic, Terzic, Krsticic (Stanic), Ivanic, Falco (Motika), Kanga, Katai, Omoijuanfo

Pathetic. We fail to win in the league for the first time this season as we let in a late goal to draw. We hit the woodwork several times and should have been 4 or 5 ahead but we were punished by some shocking defending.

--

UEFA Europa League Group D

Lineup - Gordic, Piccini (Gajic), Markovic, Dragovic, Terzic, Nikolic (Stanic), Ivanic*, Falco (Motika), Kanga (Knezevic), Katai, Omoijuanfo

WOW!!!!!!

What a performance! What a result!

Unbeknown to me Galatasaray are a historic rival for us so to go to their stadium and thump them 4-1 is incredible considering we havent been on top form at all. We were immense and this performance sets the standards for the rest of the season.

--

Lineup - Gordic, Piccini, Markovic, Dragovic (Erakovic), Terzic (Rodic), Krsticic, Ivanic (Stanic), Falco*, Kanga (Knezevic), Katai (Motika), Zivkovic

Another strong performance and great result. Vojvodina are 3rd in the table so to trounce them 4-0 is very pleasing.

--

Kup Srbije 1st Round

Lineup - Gordic, Gajic (Rogan), Pankov (Duric), Erakovic, Rodic, Nikolic (Lecic), Stankovic, N.Mituljikic, Knezevic (Stanic), Motika (J.Mituljikic), Zivkovic*

I rested my first XI here as Kolubara are a really poor side and my backups put 5 past them. Zivkovic scored a hat-trick but it was a fine day for the Mituljikic brothers as Nikola scored his first goals for the club and Jovan came off the bench to make his debut. Rogan, Duric and Lecic also made their first team bows.

--

Lineup - Gordic, Piccini, Markovic, Dragovic, Terzic (Rodic), Nikolic (Stanic), Ivanic (Stankovic), Falco, Kanga (Knezevic), Katai, Omoijuanfo*

This goes under the category of - thrashing a team but not scoring enough goals! - the sooner we bring in some better forward players the better! That being said, Omoijuanfo is doing well as he scored 2 here and had one disallowed.

--

SUMMARY

This was a weird month. Some of the performances werent up to standard but when we got it going we were unplayable as we had a 3 match spell where everyhting was perfect. Beating Galatasaray 4-1 away from home in the Europa League was amazing and we followed that up by beating Vojvodina 4-0 at home and then my backups scored 5 past Kolubara in the cup.

My assistant manager got poached off me this month which is a blow and I will be looking to replace him.

--

PLAYER OF THE MONTH
MIRKO IVANIC

--

SUPERLIGA

​

 

[Klippybo]

Z

Miodrag Belodedici

Belodedici was a Romanian CB who was signed from Steaua Bucharest where he won the European Cup in 1986 and when he won it with Red Star in 1991 he became the first player to win the trophy with 2 different clubs. He spent 3 seasons at the club playing 63 games and scoring 3 goals.


NOVEMBER

UEFA Europa League Group D

Lineup - Gordic, Piccini, Markovic*, Dragovic, Terzic, Krsticic, Ivanic (Nikolic), Falco, Kanga (Knezevic), Katai, Omoijuanfo (Zivkovic)

We have one foot into the knockout stages with this result as we move 5pts clear of Galatasaray with just 2 group games left to play.

--

Lineup - Gordic, Piccini (Gajic), Erakovic, Dragovic, Terzic, Krsticic*, Ivanic (Nikolic), Falco (Motika), Kanga, Katai, Omoijuanfo

Decent enough win. Omoijuanfo also had a goal disallowed.

--

Lineup - Gordic, Piccini, Markovic, Dragovic, Terzic, Krsticic (Stankovic), Ivanic, Motika, Falco, Katai, Omoijuanfo*

Ohi Omoijuanfo scored a fine hat-trick to take him up to 21 league goals for the season and 25 overall which is some going considering we arent even halfway through the season.

--

UEFA Europa League Group D

Lineup - Gordic, Piccini (Gajic), Markovic*, Dragovic (Erakovic), Terzic, Krsticic, Ivanic, Motika (Kanga), Falco, Katai, Omoijuanfo (Zivkovic)

This win secures our place in the knockout stages. Ivanic converted a penalty and we managed to hold on to the win but it was too close to call at times.

--

Lineup - Gordic, Piccini, Erakovic, Dragovic*, Terzic (Rodic), Krsticic, Ivanic (Nikolic), Falco (N.Mituljikic), Kanga (Knezevic), Katai, Omoijuanfo (Zivkovic)

Another win but with 2 unlikely scorers as Terzic and Dragovic netted for us. Both goals were assisted by Katai which he needed to pad his numbers up a bit.

--

SUMMARY

We werent on fire this month but we won all of our games and also got 2 great wins in Europe as we defeated Galatasaray and Olympiakos to seal our qualification into the knockout stages.

Winning 17 out of 18 games in the league would tend to suggest that the save is boring but not so. For one thing Partizan Belgrade are keeping tabs with us and tbh where we need to go to we should be winning just about every league fixture anyway!

--

PLAYER OF THE MONTH
SVETOZAR MARKOVIC

--

SUPERLIGA

​

 

[Klippybo]

K
Robert Prosinecki

Prosinecki was the midfield playmaker of the European Cup final in 1991. He made 157 apps, scoring 37 goals before he was sold to Real Madrid for £8m. He had a stellar playing career before moving onto management and he managed Red Star between 2010-12


DECEMBER

Kup Srbije 2nd Round

Lineup - Gordic, Gajic, Erakovic, Pankov, Rodic, Nikolic, Stankovic (Stanic), Motika, Knezevic*, N.Mituljikic, Zivkovic (Pavkov)

Sloboda are a non league side so I put out my youngsters and thanks to a hat-trick from Knezevic we sailed into the next round.

--

Lineup - Gordic, Piccini, Markovic, Dragovic, Terzic (Rodic), Krsticic (Nikolic), Ivanic, Falco*, Kanga, Katai (Motika), Omoijuanfo

Kolubara are stranded at the bottom of the table by a massive 12pts as they only have 4pts in total so it is no surprise that we easily beat them here. This win secures our place in the championship group not that it was ever in doubt!

--

UEFA Europa League Group D

Lineup - Gordic, Gajic, Erakovic, Dragovic, Rodic, Krsticic, Stankovic (Stanic), Motika, Knezevic (Nikolic), Katai*, Zivkovic (Pavkov)

Very disappointing. Legia Warsaw had lost all 5 group games but they somehow escaped with a point here despite us battering them from start to finish. This point does secure us as group winners.

--

Lineup - Gordic, Piccini, Markovic, Dragovic (Erakovic), Terzic (Rodic), Krsticic, Ivanic, Falco, Kanga, Katai*, Omoijuanfo (Zivkovic)

A very nice away victory and performance. Katai scored a superb hat-trick and Kanga notched a brace as we hit Napredak for 5.

--

Lineup - Gordic, Piccini (Gajic), Markovic*, Dragovic, Terzic (Rodic), Krsticic (Nikolic), Ivanic, Falco, Kanga, Katai (Motika), Omoijuanfo

We end the calendar year with another strong away performance. Ivanic scored a screamer to set us on our way and then my 2 CBs popped up with a goal each.

--

SUMMARY

We ended 2021 with some strong results and performances. We won all of our matches apart from our European tie against Legia Warsaw but even then we played our opposition off the park. Some of my players really stepped up to the plate as the likes of Katai, Kanga, Markovic and Dragovic were on top form.

Amazingly we now have a 2 month break before we play again!!!!

--

PLAYER OF THE MONTH
ALEKSANDAR KATAI

--

SUPERLIGA

​

 

[Klippybo]

Dejan Savicevic

Savicevic was a wonderful attacking midfield player who played for Red Star between 1988-92 as he made 72 appearances and scored 23 goals. He also returned to the club towards the end of his career but he only made 3 appearances. He left the club to join AC Milan for £4m.


WINTER BREAK UPDATE

There has been a bit of movement in the window but not much.

Outgoing was a few reserve/U19/reserve U19 players but 1 first teamer did leave and one committed himself to leaving.

My backup RB Milan Gajic left to join Lens for a paltry £56,000 which could rise up to £80,000. He was out of contract in the summer and was refusing to sign a new deal so I was happy to let him go.

Milan Rodic is the player who has committed to go to pastures new in the summer as he was also out of contract and we couldnt agree terms on a new deal. His departure will be felt more than Gajic's in time as I dont have a lot of top prospects in the system at left back while my first choice LB is on loan.

B team striker Balsa Toskovic left to join Vojvodina for £170,000 which is decent money for a player who I didnt even know was in my system!!!

--

Incoming was 1 player and it set a new transfer record for Serbian clubs. I paid Vojvodina an initial £1.2m (rising up to £2m) to sign Mirko Topic. Topic is a defensive midfielder and is the ideal replacement for Krsticic who at 31 is getting on. Juventus were sniffing around so it is a coup for us to bring him in and it beats the old transfer record by £300,000.

Victor Rogan has been called up from the B team to take the spot of Milan Gajic.
​

 

[Klippybo]

Vladimir Jugovic

Another member of the winning European Cup side who went on to have a successful career in Italy and Spain. Jugovic was a strong midfield player who had 3 years at Red Star between 1989-92 and he made 62 apps, scoring 11 goals. He left the club to join Sampdoria and went on to play for Juventus, Lazio, Atletico Madrid, Inter Milan and Monaco amongst others.


FEBRUARY

Lineup - Gordic, Piccini (Rogan) (Erakovic), Markovic, Dragovic, Terzic, Topic, Ivanic, N.Mituljikic, Kanga*, Motika, Omoijuanfo

We returned to action and blew Proleter away. Kanga was on fire as he scored a first-half hat-trick and also would have got an assist for a goal for Omoijuanfo if it hadnt been disallowed. Mirko Topic scored a debut goal but Rogan's debut didnt go so well as he went off injured after only 5min.

--

Lineup - Gordic, Piccini, Markovic (Erakovic), Dragovic*, Terzic, Topic, Ivanic, N.Mituljikic (Falco), Kanga (Knezevic), Motika (Zivkovic), Omoijuanfo

Normally us beating our bitterest rivals away from home would be the biggest news of the day but lowly Kolubara won 7-1 to take themselves up to 7pts for the season so our win pales into significance.

As for the game they had a goal disallowed early doors which could have changed the outcome of the game but in the end Omoijuanfo netted and we saw the game out.

--

Lineup - Gordic, Piccini (Erakovic), Markovic, Dragovic*, Rodic, Topic, Ivanic (Stankovic), Falco, Kanga, Motika (N.Mituljikic), Omoijuanfo (Zivkovic)

We scrambled to victory here. We had a goal disallowed earlier on but got the winner deep into stoppage time when we were awarded a penalty and Kanga stuck it away.

--

Lineup - Gordic, Piccini, Markovic*, Dragovic, Rodic, Krsticic (Nikolic), Ivanic, Falco (N.Mituljikic), Knezevic (Stanic), Motika, Omoijuanfo (Diony)

We just keep on winning!!!! Rodic got his first goal of the season and Motika scored a belter.

--

SUMMARY

This month saw us all but secure our league title as we beat not only Partizan Belgrade but also the handy Cukaricki away from home to extend our lead at the top of the table up to 12pts so the title race is all but over. Just hand us the trophy lol.

In the Europa League we have been drawn against RB Leipzig so I think it is safe to say that we will be knocked out as if we cant beat their weaker affiliated side in RB Salzburg we will have no chance here!

--

PLAYER OF THE MONTH
GUELOR KANGA

--

SUPERLIGA

 

[Klippybo]

MARCH

Lineup - Gordic, Piccini*, Markovic, Dragovic (Erakovic), Rodic, Topic, Ivanic (Stankovic), Falco, Kanga (Knezevic), Motika (N.Mituljikic), Omoijuanfo (Zivkovic)

We struggled to get the win here but prevailed eventually when Nikola Mituljikic headed in a cross for his first league goal for the club.

--

Lineup - Gordic, Piccini (Erakovic), Markovic, Dragovic, Rodic, Topic, Ivanic, Falco, Kanga, Motika (N.Mituljikic), Omoijuanfo

This was an absolutely bonkers match! We scored 5 goals, missed a penalty and hit the woodwork a few times but defensively we were shocking as we let in 4 goals. Thankfully we managed to get the points in the end.

--

UEFA Europa League 2nd Round 1st Leg

Lineup - Gordic*, Piccini, Markovic (Erakovic), Dragovic, Rodic, Krsticic, Ivanic (Stankovic), Falco, Kanga (Knezevic), Motika (Katai), Omoijuanfo (Zivkovic)

We were huge underdogs here so for us to escape with just a one goal deficit is a very good end result especially considering we just didnt turn up. With the 2nd leg at home we have an outside chance but at least it is a chance.

--

Lineup - Gordic, Despotovski (Erakovic), Markovic (Pankov), Dragovic, Rodic, Topic, Ivanic (Stankovic), N.Mituljikic, Kanga (Knezevic), Motika (Katai), Omoijuanfo*

We seem to be just scraping by teams at the moment domestically which is a slight concern but we are missing a few players and the games are coming thick and fast so it is understandable I suppose. Omoijuanfo scored his 30th goal of the season here.

--

UEFA Europa League 2nd Round 2nd Leg

Lineup - Gordic, Piccini, Markovic (Despotovski), Erakovic (Pankov), Rodic, Krsticic, Ivanic (Nikolic), Falco, Kanga, Katai (N.Mituljikic), Omoijuanfo (Zivkovic)

Meh. It was not to be. Leipzig blew us away with 3 goals in the first 37min but then we almost staged a comeback as Falco pulled a goal back and then we were awarded a penalty but Kanga's effort was saved and the unlikely comeback died there and then.

--

Lineup - Gordic, Piccini*, Markovic, Dragovic, Rodic, Topic, Ivanic (Nikolic), Falco (N.Mituljikic), Knezevic (Abadzija), Katai, Omoijuanfo

Vojvodina are 3rd in the table and while we are far better than them the fact we won away from home quite easily just days after a tough midweek game is encouraging.

--

Kup Srbije Quarter-Final

Lineup - Gordic, Piccini (Rogan), Markovic, Dragovic, Rodic (Erakovic), Topic, Ivanic, Falco, Kanga (Knezevic), Katai, Omoijuanfo*

Into the semis we go and quite fittingly it is the top 4 sides who remain. We will play Vojvodina in the semis while Cukaricki will come up against Partizan Belgrade.

--

SUMMARY

Our European journey came to an end this month as RB Leipzig knocked us out of the Europa League 4-1 on aggregate which is disappointing but not unexpected. We competed quite well against them which is encouraging as obviously they have some top notch players but we can look back with pride with some of our performances.

In the league we have opened up a 14pt gap at the top of the table so it is a matter of when and not if we win the league. We are on course for an unbeaten season so that is the aim for the rest of the campaign - well that and winning the cup.

As for the youth intake I signed up several players and the best player was this young CB.

--

PLAYER OF THE MONTH
OHI OMOIJUANFO

--

SUPERLIGA

​

 

[Klippybo]

APRIL

Lineup - Gordic, Piccini, Markovic, Dragovic, Rodic, Topic, Ivanic, Falco, Kanga, Katai, Omoijuanfo

We head into the split with a win but I ****** up. I completely forgot about half-time happening so when the game ended I thought we were 3-2 up after 45min but in the end we played the whole game without making a sub so my players were knackered at the end of the game and that was probably why we conceded the 2 goals late on.

--

Lineup - Gordic, Piccini, Markovic, Dragovic, Rodic, Topic, Ivanic, Falco (N.Mituljikic), Kanga (Knezevic), Katai (Motika), Omoijuanfo (Zivkovic)

Disgraceful.

Our first league defeat of the season and not only does it come at home but it comes against our biggest rivals. We just didnt turn up and although their goal was a screamer it is unacceptable that we lost at home against Partizan Belgrade.

Raging.

--

Lineup - Gordic, Piccini*, Markovic, Dragovic (Erakovic), Rodic (Terzic), Topic, Ivanic, Falco (N.Mituljikic), Kanga, Katai (Motika), Omoijuanfo

We bounce back from a defeat with a decent win here against Vojvodina. We play them back to back so we have set down a marker for the upcoming fixture.

--

Kup Srbije Semi-Final

Lineup - Gordic, Piccini, Markovic, Dragovic (Erakovic), Rodic (Terzic), Topic*, Ivanic (Nikolic), Falco (N.Mutiljikic), Kanga, Motika, Omoijuanfo

We sail into the final as we put 4 past Vojvodina to set up a final with our bitter rivals Partizan Belgrade. Topic scored a goal and he has been a bit of a revelation since he was brought in.

--

Lineup - Gordic, Piccini, Markovic, Dragovic, Rodic, Topic, Ivanic (Nikolic), Falco, Kanga (Knezevic), Katai*, Omoijuanfo (Zivkovic)

CHAMPIONS!!!!!

We wrap up the league title with this decent victory. Katai scored a brace and Milan Rodic also popped up with a goal. We now have 4 games left in the league campaign so I may play some of my youngsters in the remaining matches now.

--

SUMMARY

This month saw us clinch the league title and progress us into the Serbian Cup final but all that is overshadowed by our home defeat to Partizan Belgrade in the league in the first match after the league split. We were on for an unbeaten league campaign so for us to lose it at home against our bitterest of rivals was really hard to take and we will just have to get revenge in the cup final!

--

PLAYER OF THE MONTH
MIRKO TOPIC

--

SUPERLIGA

​

 

[Klippybo]

MAY

Lineup - Gordic, Piccini (Rogan), Erakovic, Dragovic, Terzic*, Topic, Stankovic (Nikolic), N.Mituljikic, Knezevic, Motika, Omoijuanfo (Zivkovic)

A decent win. I rested a few players to give some of my top prospects a game and Mituljikic and Motika scored the goals to prove they were worthy of their start.

--

Lineup - Gordic, Piccini, Erakovic, Dragovic, Terzic, Topic, Stankovic (Nikolic), N.Mituljikic, Knezevic, Motika, Omoijuanfo*

We reach the 100pt mark with our win here. Omoijuanfo scored a hat-trick and he also had one disallowed so it could have been more.

--

Lineup - Gordic, Rogan, Erakovic, Dragovic, Rodic, Topic (Nikolic), Stankovic, N.Mituljikic, Knezevic (Stanic), Motika (Zivkovic), Omoijuanfo

For the 3rd time this season we drop points in the league however the 2 draws have both come against Novi Pazar so they are definitely our bogey team!

--

Lineup - Gordic, Rogan, Erakovic, Pankov (Samardzic), Rodic, Krsticic, Stankovic, N.Mituljikic (Mijatovic), Knezevic (Nikolic), Motika (Nikolasevic), Zivkovic*

I rested all my first choice outfield players for our final game of the season and we duly won. I gave debuts to Mijatovic, Samardzic and Nikolasevac with Samardzic becoming both the club and the league youngest ever player at 15yrs, 278 days.

--

Kup Srbije Final

Lineup - Gordic, Piccini, Markovic, Dragovic, Terzic (Rodic), Topic, Ivanic*, Falco (Motika), Kanga (Knezevic), Katai (N.Mituljikic), Omoijuanfo (Zivkovic)

WE WIN THE CUP!!!!

It was a tight match and we thought we had won it when Ivanic smashed in a terrific free-kick but alas we conceded an equaliser with just a minute to go. Extra-time was a non event so we went to penalties and we scored all 4 of ours while Milan Gordic saved their first 2 penalties to win us the cup. Mituljikic scored the winning penalty.

--

SUMMARY

I used the end of season games to give my younger players some starts and we came through unscathed although Novi Pazar made us drop a couple of points for the 2nd time this season - their card has been marked. The main goal of the month was to win the Serbian Cup and we did that by defeating Partizan Belgrade on penalties after drawing 1-1. We thought we had it won but they levelled the match on the 89th minute.

We head into pre-season with no incomings arranged, I still havent been given my transfer budget and there are some players leaving so it could be an interesting summer!!!

--

PLAYER OF THE MONTH
NIKOLA MITULJIKIC

--

SUPERLIGA

​

 

[Klippybo]

SEASON REVIEW

Season number one is in the can and it was a highly successful one as we won the double domestically. We won the league by a whopping 18pts as we racked up 99 goals and 104pts. We only lost 1 match which was after the title was won but agonisingly it came at home to our greatest rivals Partizan Belgrade. The only other occasion we dropped points was 2 draws against Novi Pazar.

We won the Serbian Cup by defeating Partizan Belgrade on penalties which was sweet revenge for our defeat a month previously.

As for Europe we were eliminated from the Champions League in the final playoff round by RB Salzburg after we had knocked out Kairat Almaty and Ferencvaros. It was disappointing but not unexpected. That put us into the Europa League and we won our group very convincingly despite coming up against Olympiakos and Galatasaray with the highlight being a 4-1 away win over the Turks. Alas our run came to an end in the next round as this time it was RB Leipzig who did for us but they went on to win the thing.

As for my squad a special mention goes to Ohi Omoijuanfo who I had never heard of before but he ended up scoring 38 goals and winning the European Golden Boot award!!! Markovic came in on loan and really impressed while Kanga and Piccini did well however the form of my January signing, Mirko Topic, really blew me away.

--

SUPERLIGA

--

SQUAD

My Player of the Season - Ohi Omoijuanfo
My Young Player of the Season - Mirko Topic
Must Do Better - Nemanja Motika
Donkey of the Year - Milan Pavkov​

 

[Klippybo]

PRE-SEASON

The season in Serbia kicks off in mid July so at the time of writing I still have a bit of work to do regarding the shape of my squad for the new season. I was given a £5m transfer budget which for Serbian clubs is decent enough but there isnt a lot that you can do with that amount of money to make us competitive in Europe.

So far I have spent just over £2m on 4 players but I have let 12 go for just over £3m so I have padded up my budget a bit.

Here are my departures..............

--

PLAYERS OUT

Most of those departures were players who were out on loan last season but as you can see a couple of first teamers left. Kanga is the main one. He did very well last season with 22 goals but at 31y/o and with his contract set to expire I thought it was best to cash in so the £1.2m came in handy.

Filippo Falco returned to his native Italy to join Lecce for £900,000 and Nenad Krsticic left for Panathinaikos for £225,000. They were both 30 plus so I cashed in and Milan Pavkov joined Cukaricki for £130,000.

Aleksa Terzic's loan spell also ended so he needs to be replaced while Lois Diony also left the club.

--

PLAYERS IN

I am quite happy with my incomings so far.............

Svetozar Markovic was on loan last season obviously and had a £2.3m future fee clause but I gambled and didnt pay it and in the end we got him for £300k less! He was immense last season and at just 22y/o will probably be my CB for a long while.

Aleksandar Filipovic was actually a deal done by my DoF. With Terzic gone and me not willing to pay the £3.8m to bring him in permanently or the £2m to bring him in on loan I needed to bring in 2 left backs so to get a decent Serbian for much cheapness is a good deal.

My new first choice LB is Charalampos Lykogiannis. The Greek was released by Cagliari and although I have never heard of him before but with his stats it is a wonder why! He has decent pace and defensive abilities but it is his stats going forward that really excite me - especially his set piece abilities!

My other signing was actually of another LB on a pre-contract but he has been sent down to the Graficar squad to develop.

--

SQUAD

I still have a little bit of work to do. I definitely need a RW and an AMC for sure. I do have some prospects in the ranks that can get promoted but we shall see what we can do and I can also bring in a foreign player as I only have 3 in my squad.

I promoted Mateja Bubanj to the first team squad to be a backup striker. He is a top prospect and at just 17y/o his development should increase even with just limited minutes and first team training and mentoring. Nikola Vasiljevic returned to the club from a loan spell and after I couldnt sell him I decided to make him my new backup keeper.

--

SEASON AIMS

Winning the domestic double is a must but the Champions League group stages is the ultimate goal but that all depends on the draw at the end of the day. To get into the Champions League group stages would be a game changer as the finances that brings would revolutionise the club. Last season we lost £2.95m so just getting £8m for reaching the group stages means we would be in a position to really propel the club forward.​

 

[Klippybo]

JULY

Lineup - Gordic, Piccini, Markovic*, Dragovic, Lykogiannis (Filipovic), Topic (Nikolic), Ivanic, Motika (N.Mituljikic), Knezevic, Katai, Omoijuanfo

We kick off the season with a decent win although having been 2-0 up early doors I am disappointed that we didnt end up scoring more.

--

UEFA Champions League Champions Path 2nd Qualifying Round 1st Leg

Lineup - Gordic, Piccini, Markovic, Dragovic (Erakovic), Lykogiannis, Topic, Ivanic (Stankovic), Motika, Knezevic (Stanic), Katai, Omoijuanfo*

We win easily enough but we could and should have scored a lot more. When they pulled a goal back to make it 2-1 I was not happy but thankfully we kicked on a gear and ended up with 5 goals. Piccini got injured here and will be out for up to 2 months.

--

Lineup - Gordic, Rogan, Markovic (Erakovic), Dragovic, Lykogiannis*, Topic (Stankovic), Ivanic, Motika, J.Mituljikic, Katai (N.Mituljikic), Omoijuanfo

Not the best performance but we got the win. Ivanic missed an early penalty and I have called up Jovan Mituljikic up to the first team squad and he made his first start while his brother came off the bench.

--

UEFA Champions League Champions Path 2nd Qualifying Round 2nd Leg

Lineup - Gordic, Despotovski, Markovic, Dragovis, Lykogiannis, Topic*, Ivanic, Motika (N.Mituljikic), J.Mituljikic (Knezevic), Katai (Zivkovic), Omoijuanfo

I probably should have played my backups here given the result in the first leg but I forgot! Mirko Topic scored 2 stunning goals including a 25 yard volley.

--

Lineup - Gordic, Despotovski, Markovic, Dragovic, Lykogiannis, Topic, Ivanic (Stankovic), Motika, Knezevic (J.Mituljikic), Katai, Omoijuanfo*

On one hand scoring 5 goals and having 1 disallowed is pretty good but on the other conceding 3 goals is just not on!

--

SUMMARY

We have had a decent start to the season as we won all 5 fixtures this month and scored a few goals to boot! The league takes care of itself really so its in Europe where our main focus is at and we smashed KR Rejkavik 8-2 on aggregate to set us up with a tie against the Cypriot side APOEL so we have a great chance of progressing.

There is no new transfer news but I forgot to mention in my season review that my B team won the 2nd division last season and one of my feeder sides, IMT, got promoted!

--

PLAYER OF THE MONTH
OHI OMOIJUANFO

--

SUPERLIGA

​

 

[Klippybo]

AUGUST

UEFA Champions League Champions Path 3rd Qualifying Round 1st Leg

Lineup - Gordic, Despotovski*, Markovic, Dragovic, Lykogiannis (Filipovic), Topic, Ivanic, Motika (N.Mituljikic), Knezevic, Katai, Omoijuanfo (Zivkovic)

Very nice. This should see us into the playoff round as I cant see us throwing away a 4 goal lead at home in the 2nd leg!

--

Lineup - Gordic, Rogan, Markovic (Erakovic), Dragovic, Lykogiannis, Nikolic (Stanic), Stankovic, Motika, J.Mituljikic, N.Mituljikic (Bubanj), Zivkovic*

I was forced to rest several players for this game for this game and my backups came in and did a fine job. Zivkovic scored 2, Bubanj set up Motika for a goal with his first touch in professional football and Jovan Mituljikic continues to impress too!

--

UEFA Champions League Champions Path 3rd Qualifying Round 2nd Leg

Lineup - Gordic, Rogan (Despotovski), Erakovic, Dragovic*, Lykogiannis, Nikolic (Stanic), Stankovic, Motika, J.Mituljikic, N.Mituljikic, Zivkovic (Bubanj)

I stuck with my backups mainly here and they played out a dull and boring match but at least we got a stoppage time winner as Bubanj headed in his first goal for the club.

--

Lineup - Gordic, Rogan (Pankov), Erakovic, Dragovic, Lykogiannis, Topic, Ivanic*, Motika (Zivkovic), J.Mituljikic, N.Mituljikic, Omoijuanfo (Bubanj)

Another comfortable win. Ivanic got a double, Nikola Mituljikic netted and Lykogiannis scored an absolute screamer.

--

UEFA Champions League Playoff 1st Leg

Lineup - Gordic, Despotovski, Erakovic, Dragovic, Lykogiannis*, Topic, Ivanic, Motika, J.Mituljikic (Knezevic), N.Mituljikic (Katai), Omoijuanfo (Zivkovic)

Get in!!!! We have one foot in the money spinning group stages after this win. Omoijuanfo had us in front at half time and then Lykogiannis set up Motika for his 2 goals with them scoring inbetween. Topic headed in a 4th and we were all but through but they grabbed a consolation goal in stoppage time so we are not there yet.

--

Lineup - Gordic, Piccini, Erakovic, Dragovic, Lykogiannis, Topic, Ivanic, Motika, J.Mituljikic (Knezevic), Katai, Omoijuanfo*

We certainly arent struggling for goals at the minute as we rattled in another 5 here. Omoijuanfo scored a hat-trick and we blew them away in the first half but the 2nd half performance was not acceptable.


--

UEFA Champions League Playoff 2nd Leg

Lineup - Gordic, Piccini*, Erakovic, Dragovic, Lykogiannis (Filipovic), Topic, Ivanic, Motika (Kabic), J.Mituljikic (Knezevic), Katai, Omoijuanfo

WE REACH THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE GROUP STAGE!!!!!

This was a classic away performance. Omoijuanfo scored early on to ease any nerves and we kept Olypmiakos at bay and sealed the result when Ivanic scored from the edge of the area. The £13m we have received for reaching the group stages has almost doubled our bank balance!

--

Lineup - Gordic, Rogan, Erakovic, Pankov, Lykogiannis, Nikolic (Stanic), Stankovic, Kabic*, J.Mituljikic (Knezevic), N.Mituljikic, Omoijuanfo (Bubanj)

Most of my first choice players were tired after the Olympiakos match so I played a largely backup side here and we just did enough. Uros Kabic, my latest signing, got his first start and ended up with a goal, an assist and the MOM award.

--

SUMMARY

We had a great August! Not only did we win all our league games, scoring plenty of goals in the progress but we won all of our Champions League qualifiers to get ourselves into the group stages!

We easily beat APOEL to set up a tie with Olympiakos and the Greek side couldnt handle us as we beat them 4-2 at home and 2-0 away to get ourselves into the big time. We were seeded 3rd in the group alongside Juventus, Arsenal and Genk so while qualifying from the group is a tough ask we can certainly try and finish 3rd.

As for the league we are looking good. We are scoring freely and while sometimes we have been a bit dodgy in defense that can be accepted as we havent dropped any points and we have been chopping and changing the side.

Transfers wise I paid Vojvodina £1.5m for Uros Kabic. I needed another RW and the 18y/o fit the bill and he will challenge Motika for that spot in the side.

--

PLAYER OF THE MONTH
CHARLAMPOS LYKOGIANNIS

--

SUPERLIGA

​

 

[Klippybo]

SEPTEMBER

Lineup - Gordic, Piccini, Markovic, Dragovic, Lykogiannis, Topic*, Ivanic, Kabic (Motika), Knezevic (J.Mituljikic), Katai, Omoijuanfo (Zivkovic)

I view Cukaricki as the best of the rest (after ourselves and Partizan) so to get a solid 2-0 away victory against them is pleasing even if we werent at our best.

--

UEFA Champions League Group H

Lineup - Gordic, Piccini, Markovic (Erakovic), Dragovic, Filipovic, Topic, Ivanic, Motika, Knezevic (J.Mituljikic), Katai (Kabic), Omoijuanfo*

Get in!!!!!

I went into this match hoping and expecting a point but we went better than that as Omoijuanfo scored a hat-trick to put us 3-0 up and although we conceded twice we won the game and earned ourselves an extra £2.3m!!!! 3rd place is now firmly in our hands surely.

--

Lineup - Gordic, Piccini (Rogan), Markovic, Erakovic, Filipovic, Nikolic, Stankovic, Motika (Kabic), Knezevic, Katai (J.Mituljikic), Omoijuanfo*

9 wins out of 9 in the league now. Omoijuanfo helped himself to another 2 goals and it is always nice to see Stankovic score as he is a young player with great potential.

--

UEFA Champions League Group H

Lineup - Gordic, Piccini, Markovic (Erakovic), Dragovic, Filipovic (Lykogiannis), Topic, Ivanic, Kabic (N.Mituljikic), J.Mituljikic, Katai, Omoijuanfo

Despite the expected defeat I am so proud of my players here. We went 2-0 down early on and it was looking ominous but we regrouped and fought back to level the match at 2-2. In the end they scored a late winner and we had Topic sent-off with just minutes to go but overall we definitely deserved a point as we more than matched Juventus here.

Genk beat Arsenal so that is very disappointing.

--

Lineup - Gordic, Piccini, Markovic, Dragovic, Lykogiannis, Topic, Stankovic, Motika (Kabic), Knezevic (Nikolic), Katai (J.Mituljikic), Omoijuanfo*

We were pretty poor here but got the win thanks to a goal from Omoijuanfo. We move on.

--

UEFA Champions League Group H

Lineup - Gordic, Piccini, Markovic, Lykogiannis, Filipovic (Erakovic), Nikolic, Stankovic, Motika, Knezevic (J.Mituljikic), Katai, Omoijuanfo (Bubanj)

I am happy with both the result and the performance. Arsenal were slightly the better side admittedly but we were dangerous too and scored 3 goals with Stankovic helping himself to 2.

--

SUMMARY

The games this month were split with 3 domestic games and 3 European ones as the fixtures are crammed in before the 2022 World Cup. All 3 league games were won yet we are not top of the league despite having won all of our games however we do have 2 games in hand to recover the 4pt deficit to Partizan Belgrade.

In the Champions League we have done brilliantly! We beat Genk 3-2 away which I was delighted with and then we almost got a point against Juventus before drawing 3-3 with Arsenal. With 1 home game left to play the remaining 3 fixtures will be tougher but 3rd spot is looking very attainable.

--

PLAYER OF THE MONTH
OHI OMOIJUANFO

--

SUPERLIGA

​

 

[Klippybo]

OCTOBER

Lineup - Gordic, Rogan (Filipovic*), Markovic, Erakovic, Lykogiannis, Topic, Ivanic (Stankovic), Motika (Kabic), Knezevic, Katai, Omoijuanfo

Novi Pazar were our bogey team last season so to thump them here is pleasing. We suffered a set back when Rogan went off injured after only 2min but Filipovic came on in his place and had a great game.

--

Lineup - Gordic, Piccini, Markovic, Dragovic (Erakovic), Filipovic, Topic, Ivanic, Kabic, Knezevic* (J.Mituljikic), Katai (N.Mituljikic), Omoijuanfo

With 8 games being crammed in this month I am forced to rest some players so the fact that Dragovic and Knezevic went off injured here is a blow with Dragovic being ruled out for 2 months. Thankfully Knezevic picked up 2 goals before he went off and his injury is a minor one.

--

Lineup - Gordic, Piccini (Despotovski), Markovic, Erakovic, Filipovic, Topic, Ivanic*, Kabic, J.Mituljikic, Katai (N.Mituljikic), Zivkovic (Bubanj)

Players may come in and out but we keep on winning! We hit IMT for 6 here with Ivanic scoring a hat-trick. Katai scored for the 3rd game in a row and Topic scored a screamer.

--

Lineup - Gordic, Piccini, Markovic (Pankov), Erakovic, Filipovic, Topic, Ivanic, Kabic (Motika), J.Mituljikic*, Katai (N.Mituljikic), Zivkovic

14 wins out of 14 and 4 more goals are added to the tally. I was in 2 minds about promoting Jovan Mituljikic to the first team squad in pre-season but I am so glad I did now!

--

Lineup - Gordic, Piccini, Markovic, Erakovic, Filipovic (Lazic), Nikolic*, Stankovic (Stanic), Kabic, J.Mituljikic, Katai (N.Mituljikic), Zivkovic

Some of my players were back to fitness for this one but I gave them an extra few days of rest for the upcoming Champions League game. To make the day better Partizan Belgrade lost to Cukaricki.

--

UEFA Champions League Group H

Lineup - Gordic, Piccini, Markovic, Erakovic, Lykogiannis, Topic, Ivanic, Kabic (Motika), Knezevic, Katai (N.Mituljikic), Omoijuanfo (Zivkovic)

We narrowly lose here although they were by far the better side. So long as we dont lose to Genk then 3rd place and a Europa League spot is ours.

--

Lineup - Gordic, Filipovic, Pankov, Duric, Lykogiannis, Stankovic, Ivanic*, Kabic (Motika), J.Mituljikic (Knezevic), Katai (N.Mituljikic), Omoijuanfo

We reclaim top spot in the league with this win. My defense was depleted as I had none of my 3 right backs available (Piccini, Rogan, Despotovski) so Filipovic had to do a job. Plus 3 of my CBs were also out but we still came out on top.

--

UEFA Champions League Group H

Lineup - Gordic, Filipovic, Erakovic, Pankov, Lykogiannis, Topic, Ivanic (Stankovic), Motika (Kabic), Knezevic, Katai (J.Mituljikic), Omoijuanfo

We were completely outplayed by Juventus here as Dusan Vlahovic tore us apart. They could have been 6 or 7 up in truth but we then dug in and pulled 2 goals back through Omoijuanfo and we almost equalised in stoppage time. Genk drew with Arsenal so we are 3rd and they are 4th both on 4pts.

--

Lineup - Gordic, Piccini, Markovic, Erakovic, Lykogiannis (Filipovic), Topic (Stankovic), Ivanic, Motika, Knezevic, Katai (J.Mituljikic), Omoijuanfo*

We struggled to win here although we did have 2 goals disallowed which would have made the scoreline more comfortable.

--

SUMMARY

We crammed in 8 games this month which was quite something. I was forced to chop and change my players continually as I gave some players a week of rest when they needed it. My backup players like Filipovic, Zivkovic and Erakovic all came in and did well which is a boost.

In the Champions League we have 1 final group game to play at home to Genk so if we avoid defeat we will secure 3rd spot in the group and have a spot in the Europa League.

We have 2 games at the start of next month and that is it until the end of January due to the World Cup and the winter break.

--

PLAYER OF THE MONTH
MIRKO IVANIC

--

SUPERLIGA

​

 

[Klippybo]

NOVEMBER - JANUARY

UEFA Champions League Group H

Lineup - Gordic, Piccini, Markovic, Erakovic, Lykogiannis (Filipovic), Topic, Ivanic, Motika (Kabic), Knezevic (J.Mituljikic), Katai, Omoijuanfo*

3rd place in the group is ours as we easily beat Genk. Omoijuanfo scored both of our goals and Katai had an effort disallowed.

--

Kup Srbije 1st Round

Lineup - Gordic, Rogan, Pankov, Erakovic, Filipovic, Nikolic, Stankovic (Stanic), Motika*, J.Mituljikic, N.Mituljikic, Zivkovic (Bubanj)

Our opponents here are in the 2nd tier and without a manager so I trusted my backups to get the job done and they did just that.

We now have a 2 month break.

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Lineup - Gordic, Piccini, Markovic, Ferraresi, Lykogiannis*, Petrovic (Topic), Ivanic, Kabic, Knezevic, Katai (J.Mituljikic), Omoijuanfo (Zivkovic)

We drop our first points of the season here disappointingly. A draw was a fair result though.

This was our first game since November and there has been some squad movement and as you can see I had a debutant in the shape of Ferraresi while Petrovic made his 2nd debut - more on that later.

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Lineup - Gordic, Piccini, Markovic, Ferraresi, Filipovic (Rogan), Petrovic*, Ivanic, Kabic, Knezevic, Katai (J.Mituljikic), Omoijuanfo (Zivkovic)

A stunning victory as we score 7 past Radnicki 1923. I brought in Njagos Petrovic thinking he would be a more defensive midfielder but he scored a hat-trick!

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SUMMARY

There is a lot to catch up on!!!!

Firstly we defeat Genk 2-0 to secure 3rd place in our Champions League group and see us drop into the Europa League where we have drawn Borussia Monchengladbach. A cup victory over Mladost GAT was our last action in 2022.

However before the year was out Germany had won the World Cup and I had a new president after the elections and that was to prove telling...............

The January transfer window opened and that saw us lose 2 of our top prospects because my new chairman went over my head to accept deals. Firstly Motika joined Bayern Munich for £5.5m (rising to £7.25m). I wasnt too upset at losing him as Bayern had an £8.5m buy back clause so he was probably on his way anyway.

The one I was gutted about losing however was Nikola Stankovic as the board accepted an initial £3.4m (£6.25m) deal from Paris Saint-Germain. I tried to talk the board round but to no avail so he has departed us.

Before that even happened I had sold Aleksandar Dragovic to New York City for £2.4m as due to his age (31) and his recent injury record I thought it was best to cash in. Another CB - Pankov was sold to Cukaricki for £190,000.

So I obviously needed to bring players in!!!!

With 2 CBs leaving I needed to bring 2 in. Firstly I went to Cukaricki and poached their 17y/o talent Mihajlo Madzarevic. I paid £1.3m to bring him in and while he is in my first team squad if I can get a better replacement he may join my U19s.

I did bring in a more experienced central defender though and it was one I had been tracking for a while. 24y/o Venezuelan international Nahuel Ferraresi joined us from M.C. Torque for £1.9m I have never heard of him before but he looks like a fine player who should excel in Serbian football and make us stronger.

Finally I paid a club record £3.5m to bring Njagos Petrovic back to the club from Granada to replace the departing Stankovic. He has already settled in quickly by scoring a hat-trick and he should do well but I am still gutted at losing Stankovic to PSG.

I still have some work to do in the window however and have £11m left to spend.
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