Stankovic tries to lower the pressure before Hapoel Be'er Sheva: "My back is broad"
After the victory over Novi Pazar, the Red Star coach admitted that his and his players' minds are on the return leg against the Israeli champion: "We want to show that last Tuesday was a bad day"
Red Star Belgrade continues its preparations for the return leg against Hapoel Be'er Sheva in the third qualifying round of the Champions League, having secured a 2-0 victory yesterday (Saturday) against Novi Pazar in the Serbian league. After the match, head coach Dejan Stankovic turned his focus to the upcoming encounter with the Israeli champion on Tuesday (21:00, Sport1).
Stankovic explained the rotation in his lineup as a move to allow players to rest ahead of the Be'er Sheva clash: "There were many substitutions to rest the players. There were lapses in concentration, but my guys know how to play football. When we needed to, we scored after three passes."
Stankovic also sent a clear message to his squad ahead of the return leg, following the 1-0 loss in the first match: "We need calm. We know what we have been through in these days. Let everything pass through me, freely. My back is broad, so that the guys won't feel the pressure. Our thoughts are occupied with Tuesday, with all due respect to Novi Pazar."
Finally, the coach referred to the song playing in the stadium: "The song 'Play and Fight' is playing now. That is exactly what I want from my guys, to show that last Tuesday was a bad day."
Hapoel Be'er Sheva will arrive in Belgrade with a 1-0 lead, and the winner on aggregate will advance to the playoff round of the Champions League qualifiers.
