Crvena Zvezda vs Benfica: Why the 2024 Rematch Still Stings for Belgrade Fans

Belgrade is loud. If you've ever stepped foot in the Rajko Mitić Stadium—famously known as the Marakana—you know the sound isn't just noise; it's a physical weight. On September 19, 2024, that weight felt heavier than usual. Crvena Zvezda vs Benfica wasn't just another fixture in the newly revamped Champions League league phase. It was a collision of two former European champions, a nostalgic nod to the 1984 clash where the legendary Eusébio's successors were stunned by a Yugoslav powerhouse.

But history is a fickle friend.

Most people thought the home advantage would carry the Serbian giants. Honestly, the atmosphere was electric enough to power half of Belgrade. Yet, by the 29th minute, the Marakana had gone eerily quiet, save for a pocket of traveling Portuguese fans.

The Turkish Connection That Broke the Marakana

Benfica didn't come to play it safe. They didn't come to "weather the storm." They came with a game plan that felt surgical.

Kerem Aktürkoğlu, the man they call "Harry Potter" for his wizardry on the wings, didn't wait for an invitation. Only nine minutes in, he was at the far post to tap home a cross from Alexander Bah. It was a "right place, right time" moment that silenced the North Stand for a split second.

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Then came the dagger.

Orkun Kökçü stepped up to a free-kick about 25 meters out. You could see the concentration. He didn't just hit it; he curled it with a trajectory that looked like it was heading for the car park before it whipped into the top right corner. 2-0. In under half an hour, the tactical discipline of the Eagles had neutralized one of the most feared home turfs in world football.

Crvena Zvezda vs Benfica: What the Stats Don't Tell You

If you look at the box score, you'll see Crvena Zvezda had 54% possession. You'll see they took 16 shots to Benfica's 10. You might even think they dominated.

They didn't.

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Football is about space, not just the ball. Benfica, under the guidance of Bruno Lage (who had recently returned to the helm), played a high-risk, high-reward game. They allowed Red Star to have the ball in "safe" areas while keeping their defensive shape tight. Nasser Djiga and Uroš Spajić were busy all night, but mostly moving the ball sideways.

The Serbian side felt the absence of a creative spark in the final third for 80 minutes. Silas and Bruno Duarte worked hard, but they were often isolated. It wasn't until Felício Milson came off the bench that things got spicy. His 86th-minute goal—a cool finish after being played through by Cherif Ndiaye—set up a grandstand finish.

But it was too little, too late.

Real Talk on the "New" Champions League Format

This match highlighted exactly why the new league phase is a different beast. In the old group stage, losing your opener at home was a catastrophe. Now? It’s a setback, sure, but the margin for error has shifted.

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1. Every goal matters: Red Star's late goal didn't get them a point, but it kept their goal difference from being a total wreck.
2. Squad depth is king: Benfica's ability to rotate and maintain intensity was the clear difference.
3. The "Turkic" Influence: The chemistry between Aktürkoğlu and Kökçü is becoming the backbone of this Benfica side.

Why This Rivalry Matters Beyond the Scoreline

There’s a shared DNA between these clubs. Both have won the "Big Ears" trophy (Benfica twice in the 60s, Red Star in 1991). Both are essentially selling clubs now, forced to produce incredible talent only to see them snatched up by the Premier League or Real Madrid.

When you see a player like Young-Woo Seol putting in a shift for Red Star, you're seeing the next generation of talent that will likely end up in a top-five league in two years. Benfica, meanwhile, continues to prove they are the masters of the "rebuild." Losing stars like João Neves would cripple most teams; Benfica just finds another gear.

The 1-2 result in Belgrade wasn't just a win for the Portuguese; it was a statement that technical proficiency can, on the right night, overcome raw passion.

Actionable Insights for the Return Leg

If you're following the trajectory of these two teams through the rest of the 2024/25 season, here is what you need to keep an eye on:

• Watch the Wing-Backs: Benfica’s Álvaro Carreras is a name you’ll be hearing a lot. His ability to transition from defense to attack is elite.
• Red Star's Defensive Shape: They struggle when teams play through the middle quickly. If they don't fix the gap between their midfield and backline, high-pressing teams will eat them alive.
• Betting Trends: Red Star is a different beast in the domestic league, but in Europe, they are "Over 2.5 goals" magnets. They almost always find a way to score, but keeping a clean sheet is their Achilles' heel.

The next time these two meet, don't expect a friendly. The history is too deep, and the stakes in the modern game are just too high. Whether you're a fan of the Crveno-beli or the Encarnados, this fixture remains a pure distillation of European football heritage.

Check the upcoming schedules for both teams. Benfica looks poised for a deep run into the knockout stages, while Crvena Zvezda will be fighting tooth and nail to stay in the top 24.