Köln vs Red Star Belgrade – Europa League Preview

Köln vs Red Star Belgrade – Thursday, September 28, 18:00BT/19.00 CET RheinEnergieStadion – Cologne, Germany.

1.FC Köln vs Red Star Belgrade will take place at the RheinEnergieArena in Cologne. (Photo by Mika Volkmann/Bongarts/Getty Images)

We at Futbolgrad have always expressed how special home games at the RheinEnergieStadion in Cologne are and with this game being the first European home match since Köln’s 2-0 win against Celtic on September 15, 1992, the atmosphere will be second to none. Visitors Red Star Belgrade have fond memories of the early nineties too as they became Europe Champions in 1991. Both sides will be hoping to gain three points this Thursday and create some memories in the competition for years to come.

Köln had a poor start to the season with five consecutive domestic defeats but on Sunday that changed with a draw away to newly promoted Hannover 96. The Billy Goats fans have so celebrated a scoreless draw. The second half saw a much-improved performance, and they will look to build on this midweek.

On matchday 1 Peter Stöger’s side played away to Arsenal in a game that gained column space due to the controversies off the field which was disappointing as the Germans had a mostly positive first half. They took the lead after quick thinking from Leonardo Bittencourt and a delightful chip from Jhon Cordoba. Unfortunately, the Gunners woke up after the break and put three passed Timo Horn and the game finished 3-1.

Red Star Belgrade have experienced a longer route to the group stages after entering at the first qualifying round. The Serbian, unlike their opponents, have also been in exceptional form domestically winning nine of ten and drawing one. They have also scored 24 and only conceded one. Though they will know the Europa League is a tougher test than they receive weekly in the Serbian Superliga.

In their opening group game, they failed to beat Belarusian side, BATE Borisov at home. A dominant performance including 23 shots seen Crveno-beli, the Red and Whites, only manage a draw. Coach and ex-player, Vladan Milojević will be frustrated as this game would have been seen as a must win if they are to progress to the knockouts.

On Thursday night this will not be the first time the two sides have met. Back in 1989 in the third round, Köln won 3-0 at home followed by a Red Star 2-0 victory in the following leg. The West German side will be happy with a repeat home scoreline on this occasion.

Köln vs Red Star Belgrade – Players to Watch:

Leonardo Bittencourt #11 – Köln

If he had have been featuring more for Effzeh this selection would have been attacker Milos Jojić due to his time spent previously with Red Star Belgrade’s local rivals Partizan, but his presence in the starting XI is a rarity. One man that is ever present is former BVB midfielder Leonardo Bittencourt. His form has remained one of the highlights for Peter Stöger in recent weeks. He recorded an assist in the game against Arsenal and shall be hoping to gain another or open his scoring account midweek.

Leonardo Bittencourt is one to watch on matchday 2 of the Europa League. (Photo by Christof Koepsel/Bongarts/Getty Images)

Richmond Boakye #14 – Red Star Belgrade

Striker Richmond Boakye has been a journeyman featuring for seven clubs at only 24 years old. But after a successful loan spell with Red Star in the second half of last season, scoring 12 goals in 16 appearances, he was transferred from bankrupt Italian side Latina in July. The Ghanian’s impressive strike rate has continued into this season with three goals in four starts in the Superliga and being awarded joint highest goalscorer in the Europa League qualifiers with seven. If a goal is scored by the away side, don’t be surprised to see his name on the score sheet.

Richmond Boakye (l.) is Red Star Belgrade’s player to watch. (Photo by Srdjan Stevanovic/Getty Images)

Köln vs Red Star Belgrade – Match Stats

• The sides have met in the European Cup before. Both sides won the home leg (Köln 3-0, then Red Star 2-0) but Köln won on aggregate 3-2
• Köln lost their Matchday 1 game to Arsenal 3-1
• Köln first European home game since 1992
• Köln have won three and lost once to Serbian opposition.
• Red Star Belgrade won the European Cup in 1991
• Red Star Belgrade drew their Matchday 1 game to BATE Borisov 1-1
• Red Star Belgrade are one of three teams to successfully reach the group stage after entering the first qualification round.
• Red Star Belgrade have played German sides 29 times, W12 D4 L13

Futbolgrad Network Prediction: Köln vs Red Star Belgrade 2-0

Köln vs Red Star Belgrade – Possible Lineups

Köln

Formation: 3-5-2

Horn – Heintz, Sørenson, Maroh – Rausch, Bittencourt, Lehmann, Özcan, Klünter – Córdoba, Ozako

Coach: Peter Stöger

Red Star Belgrade

Formation: 4-3-3

Borjan – Rodic, Le Tallec, Savic, Stojkovic – Kanga, Donald, Krsticic – Radonjic, Boakye, Srnic

Coach: Vladan MilojevicBryce Dunn is a Northern Irish football writer and Podcaster. Bryce hosts the popular Bundesliga – Gegenpressing Podcast, which is the most in-depth English-speaking Bundesliga Podcast available and Golazo an English-speaking Podcast covering Mexico’s Liga MX on the Futbolgrad Network. He is an avid Liverpool FC supporter, who enjoys researching German and Mexican football clubs whether they are part of the elite or the lower divisions. Follow Bryce on Twitter @BryceDunn11.