Red Star's Champions League Hopes Hang in the Balance Against Bodo/Glimt

Trailing by a single goal from the first leg, Red Star Belgrade face a daunting task on Wednesday as they host Bodo/Glimt in the second leg of their Champions League playoff tie at the Marakana. The Serbian side needs a significant fightback to overturn the deficit and secure their place in the group stage, meaning the Norwegian visitors will start as favourites.

A Tight First Leg Leaves Hope Alive

Last week, Red Star embarked on a journey north of the Arctic Circle, kicking off their latest European campaign in the high-stakes playoff round. Despite being outplayed by their hosts for much of the match, the Serbian champions found themselves two goals down and staring at a seemingly insurmountable deficit. However, a late goal from substitute Ognjen Mimovic – his first senior goal – provided a glimmer of hope for Red Star, leaving them with a fighting chance heading into the second leg.

Red Star, European champions in 1991, have enjoyed recent success in the Champions League, reaching the group stage in both 2018 and 2019. Their return to Europe's top table last year, however, saw them finish bottom of the group with a single point from six games. Having since won a seventh consecutive Serbian Superliga title, Red Star are once again in contention for European glory.

Manager Vladan Milojevic, back for a second spell in charge, has led the team to further success, and despite having their league fixture postponed to aid their European ambitions, Red Star are currently leading the Serbian Superliga table.

Bodo/Glimt Aim for Uncharted Territory

Bodo/Glimt, much like their playoff opponents, are dominating their domestic league, sitting comfortably at the top of Norway's Eliteserien. They have been in action since the first leg, securing a convincing 6-0 home win over Sarpsborg, extending their lead at the top of the table to eight points.

Kjetil Knutsen's side have been in impressive form, scoring 12 goals in their last three matches across all competitions. Their performance in the first leg, however, was not without its shortcomings. Despite a comfortable 2-0 lead, they missed several opportunities and conceded a late goal, leaving them with a slender advantage to protect in Belgrade.

Bodo/Glimt, who competed in last season's Europa Conference League before being knocked out by Ajax in the knockout round playoffs, are now focused on achieving their ultimate ambition: reaching the Champions League group stage for the first time. Having won eight of their last ten home matches in Europe, including three during this season's qualifying stages, they will be looking to finish the job in Belgrade.

Team News and Possible Lineups

Despite their defeat in Norway, Red Star's starting lineup is expected to be similar to the one that started the first leg. Uros Spajic is likely to captain the side from centre-back, with Senegalese striker Cherif Ndiaye leading the line up front. He is likely to be supported by Peter Olayinka, while Bruno Duarte or recent signing Felicio Milson could feature from the bench as manager Vladan Milojevic looks to inject more attacking impetus on home soil. South Korean duo Seol Young-woo and Hwang In-beom are expected to retain their positions at full-back and in central midfield, respectively.

Bodo/Glimt will again be without several key players, including Nino Zugelj, Gaute Vetti, Brice Wembangomo, and Norway defender Omar Elabdellaoui. Kasper Hogh and former AC Milan winger Jens Petter Hauge, who both came off the bench to score at the weekend, are likely to be reunited in the final third, while captain Patrick Berg, who has been prolific in this year's Eliteserien, will be pulling the strings in the midfield.

Possible starting lineups:

Red Star Belgrade: Ilic; Mimovic, Djiga, Spajic, Seol; Elsnik, Hwang; Milson, Ivanic, Olayinka; Ndiaye

Bodo/Glimt: Haikin; Sjovold, Bjortuft, Gundersen, Bjorkan; Fet, Berg, Evjen; Hauge, Hogh, Maatta

Prediction:

Bodo/Glimt may have had a more comfortable lead before arriving at the daunting Marakana, but they are capable of holding firm in Serbia and securing their place in the Champions League group stage for the very first time. Converting their chances was a major issue for the Norwegian side in the first leg, but a single goal could be enough to secure qualification.

Prediction: Red Star Belgrade 1-1 Bodo/Glimt (Bodo/Glimt win 3-2 on aggregate)