Red Star vs Larne – News and Probable Lineups

Red Star Belgrade is on the brink of progressing to the third round of Champions League qualifying, with the club set to host the second leg of their matchup against Larne on Wednesday at Stadion Rajko Mitic.

The first leg of the second qualifying round took place on July 21, and it was effectively decided with Red Star winning 4-0.

Match overview

The initial leg last week was rather competitive during the first half, with Red Star only leading 1-0 at halftime, but a second-half surge led the Serbian team to establish a four-goal lead going into Wednesday’s fixture.

The Red-Whites did not concede more than three goals in any match during the 2025-26 season, and only allowed more than one goal in one of their six Champions League qualifying matches that year.

Red Star participated in eight home European matches last season, securing three wins, suffering two losses, and recording three draws, while their losses came by one or two-goal margins.

Head coach Dejan Stankovic has had an immaculate start to the 2026-27 season, winning all three fixtures played, with his squad netting 12 goals while conceding just once.

The home team should be brimming with confidence ahead of the match, given that they have failed to score in only two of their last 22 European encounters.

Many observers view Larne’s challenge on Wednesday as insurmountable, especially as they have never managed to score at least four goals in any UEFA competition before.

The visitors have, in fact, never scored three times in an away fixture in Europe, and they have managed only five clean sheets in their 16 European games on the road.

Head coach Gary Haveron is likely considering his team’s upcoming campaign in the Northern Irish top flight, set to begin on August 9.

Nonetheless, not qualifying for the next stage of Champions League qualifying would not mean the end of their continental journey, as they would enter the Europa League’s third qualifying round.

In Larne’s last eight competitive away matches, they have netted one goal or fewer five times, including one game where they were shut out completely.

Team News

Although Red Star can afford to rest several key players, it is anticipated that the lineup will still be formidable, though forward Bruno Duarte might not be expected to play the entire match.

The center-forward could receive support from Vasilije Kostov and Mirko Ivanic, the former eager to add another goal to his tally against Larne.

Timi Max Elsnik is a potential starter as the base of a midfield trio, likely tasked with shielding center-backs Strahinja Erakovic and Milos Veljkovic.

Regarding Larne, they may name a strong initial lineup, but it would be unexpected to see players such as Dan Bent and Matt Ridley stay in defense for the full 90 minutes.

Sean Graham, Chris Gallagher, and Ronan Doherty are expected to feature in midfield, while Matthew Lusty is poised to lead the attack.

Red Star Belgrade probable starting XI:

Matthew; Seol, Erakovic, Veljkovic, Tiknizyan; Loizou, Elsnik, Abu Fani; Kostov, Duarte, Ivanic

Larne probable starting XI:

Ferguson; Cosgrove, Bent, Ridley, Donnelly; Doherty, Gallagher, Graham; McEneff, Lusty, Sloan

There is little indication that Larne can pull off a remarkable comeback in Europe, and they are faced with the daunting task of heading to Stadion Rajko Mitic.

Red Star is expected to capitalize on their dispirited opponents, and they might again secure a comfortable victory.