On a thrilling Matchday 1 of the UEFA Champions League, Crvena Zvezda hosted Benfica at the iconic Stadion Rajko Mitić in Belgrade. Both teams came into the match with hopes of starting their European campaign on a high. Benfica, the Portuguese giants, aimed to assert their dominance early, while Crvena Zvezda sought to make their home advantage count in this inaugural league-phase encounter. With 50,000 roaring fans backing the home side, the stage was set for a fierce contest.
Crvena Zvezda vs Benfica Head to Head
Historically, Benfica has enjoyed the upper hand in European competitions. However, matches between these two sides are rare, and Crvena Zvezda was determined to use the energy from their home crowd to challenge the visitors. Benfica entered the match as favorites but had to be wary of Zvezda’s attacking flair.
Crvena Zvezda vs Benfica Lineups
Here are the Crvena Zvezda vs Benfica lineups today (Sep 19, 2024)
Crvena Zvezda Starting XI (4-4-2)
- GK: Omri Glazer
- DEF: Youngwoo Seol, Radovan Pankov, Uroš Spajić, Silas
- MID: Mirko Ivanić, Timi Elšnik, Rade Krunić, Peter Olayinka
- FWD: Bruno Duarte, Aleksandar Katai
Substitutes:
- Milan Borjan (GK), Luka Ilić, Cherif Ndiaye, Felício Milson, Djordje Petrović
Benfica Starting XI (4-2-3-1)
- GK: Anatoliy Trubin
- DEF: Álvaro Carreras, Nicolás Otamendi, António Silva, Issa Kaboré
- MID: Florentino Luís, Fredrik Aursnes, Orkun Kökçü, Ángel Di María, Kerem Aktürkoğlu
- FWD: Vangelis Pavlidis
Substitutes:
- Samuel Soares (GK), Jan-Niklas Beste, Zeki Amdouni, Leandro Barreiro, Benjamin Rollheiser
Crvena Zvezda vs Benfica First Half – Dominant Benfica
The match kicked off under a cloud of tension, with both sides eager to make their mark. Benfica came out strong, dictating the tempo early on. In the 9th minute, Kerem Aktürkoğlu capitalized on a defensive lapse, slotting the ball into the bottom corner after a clever pass from Di María, giving Benfica a 1-0 lead.
Benfica continued to press, and their persistence paid off when Orkun Kökçü unleashed a stunning free-kick from 25 yards out, curling the ball into the top left corner, leaving Zvezda’s keeper Glazer with no chance. Benfica doubled their lead, making it 2-0. Crvena Zvezda struggled to find their rhythm as they faced an uphill battle before halftime.
Crvena Zvezda vs Benfica Halftime Score: Crvena Zvezda 0-2 Benfica
Crvena Zvezda vs Benfica Second Half – Zvezda’s Late Resurgence
Crvena Zvezda regrouped in the second half, showing greater resolve. Substitutions in the 71st minute saw Cherif Ndiaye and Felício Milson introduced to spark the attack, and Zvezda began to create more chances.
The breakthrough came late, as substitute Felício Milson combined with Ndiaye, who provided a precise through ball. Milson coolly slotted the ball past Trubin to pull one back for Crvena Zvezda, sending the home fans into a frenzy.
Despite relentless pressure from the hosts, Benfica held on to their lead. The match ended 2-1 in favor of the visitors, but not without a valiant fight from Crvena Zvezda.
Crvena Zvezda vs Benfica Fulltime Score: Crvena Zvezda 1-2 Benfica
Crvena Zvezda vs Benfica Stats
| Crvena Zvezda vs Benfica Stats | Crvena Zvezda | Benfica |
| Goals | 1 | 2 |
| Shots on Target | 5 | 7 |
| Possession | 45% | 55% |
| Corners | 8 | 4 |
| Fouls Committed | 15 | 13 |
| Yellow Cards | 2 | 2 |
Crvena Zvezda vs Benfica Timeline of Key Moments
- 9′ – Goal (Benfica): Kerem Aktürkoğlu opens the scoring with a clinical finish.
- 29′ – Goal (Benfica): Orkun Kökçü converts a stunning free-kick to double the lead.
- 52′ – Yellow Card (Benfica): Álvaro Carreras receives a booking for a late tackle.
- 64′ – Yellow Card (Benfica): Issa Kaboré is cautioned for a foul on Ivanić.
- 86′ – Goal (Crvena Zvezda): Felício Milson scores after a great assist from Ndiaye.
Crvena Zvezda vs Benfica Impact on Points Table
With this victory, Benfica secured an essential three points, positioning themselves in a strong spot in Group A. Meanwhile, Crvena Zvezda, despite the loss, will take confidence from their second-half performance as they aim to bounce back in the upcoming fixtures.
Crvena Zvezda vs Benfica Player Achievements
- Kerem Aktürkoğlu and Orkun Kökçü were instrumental for Benfica, both scoring vital goals.
- Felício Milson’s late goal gave Crvena Zvezda a glimmer of hope and showcased his finishing ability.
Crvena Zvezda vs Benfica Man of the Match
Ángel Di María was named the Player of the Match for his outstanding playmaking, registering a crucial assist and linking up the Benfica attack with fluidity.
In a closely contested affair, Benfica came out on top with a 2-1 victory over Crvena Zvezda. The match was a tale of two halves, with Benfica dominating the first and Crvena Zvezda pushing hard in the second. The Serbian side will regret their slow start, but their spirited comeback is something to build on for the remainder of their Champions League campaign. Benfica, meanwhile, will be buoyed by their strong start, knowing they can secure crucial away points in this competition.
