Leipzig looking to win maiden four consecutive UCL away games.

2024-09-26

In a clash of contrasting fortunes, Crvena Zvezda aims to halt their winless Champions League streak when they host RB Leipzig, who are eager to solidify their knockout stage ambitions under the lights of the Rajko Mitic Stadium.

Crvena Zvezda

Crvena Zvezda will be looking to build on their recent 3-1 win over FK Radnik Surdulica in the Serbian SuperLiga. Goals from Jovan Mijatović, Uroš Spajić, and a late penalty by Guelor Kanga secured the victory for Red Star Belgrade.

This win was their third in five games across all competitions, as they head into Tuesday's Champions League clash in search of their first victory in the competition this season. Crvena Zvezda sit at the bottom of Group G, with one point earned after a 3-1 defeat in the first match of their doubleheader.

With the first leg loss to Leipzig, Zvezda remain winless in their last five encounters against German teams in major European competitions. The Serbian side is seeking its first Champions League victory since their 3-1 triumph over Olympiakos in October 2019, having lost six and drawn one of their seven subsequent matches.

Red Star Belgrade have also struggled defensively in the Champions League, failing to keep a clean sheet in their last 11 games, conceding 35 goals with an average of 3.2 goals conceded per game (GCPG). Additionally, they are winless in their last three home games in the European Cup/Champions League, risking an unprecedented four-game winless streak at home.

Peter Olayinka, with four goals in his last five league appearances, is expected to feature in the attack alongside Cherif Ndiaye. Coach Barak Bakhar is likely to maintain the 3-5-2 formation used in the first leg.

RB Leipzig

Leipzig lost 2-0 against Mainz, marking their second Bundesliga defeat of the season. On Tuesday, they will aim to secure their place in the next phase of the UEFA Champions League, despite recent back-to-back defeats across all competitions [WWWLL].

The visitors, currently 2nd in Group G, have accumulated six points [2W, 0D, 1L] as they strive for a spot in the knockout round for the fourth time in the last five campaigns. A victory on Tuesday would see the Red Bulls win both home and away against an opponent in the UCL for only the fifth time and will mark the first time they play on Serbian soil in European competition.

Additionally, Leipzig seeks to extend their streak of away victories in the UCL group stage to four consecutive games, having won their last three. Manager Marco Rose might opt for a 4-4-2 formation, featuring Loïs Openda and Yussuf Poulsen in attack.

However, they face challenges with Dani Olmo (shoulder), Willi Orbán (knee), and El Chadaille Bitshiabu (knee) all ruled out for Tuesday’s fixture.