Juliano Belletti’s team celebrated a hard-fought victory in their UEFA Youth League encounter at the renowned Rajko Mitic Youth Stadium, overcoming an early deficit after Kostov had given the home side a lead from the penalty spot. However, two outstanding goals in just three minutes propelled the Catalans to a 2-1 triumph, bringing their points tally to an impressive 9 out of a possible 12.
Early setback
It was just before the quarter-hour mark when Landry Farré controversially conceded a penalty, an occurrence that caught the visitors off guard, especially since it marked the only moment in the first half that Red Star managed to threaten Yaakobishvili seriously. Despite this unexpected setback, FC Barcelona maintained control of the match, showcasing their attacking prowess.
Hugo Alba and Jan Virgili both found themselves with promising opportunities to rectify the situation, but the determined Serbian defense managed to hold firm, keeping the scoreline unchanged for the duration of the first half.
Second half comeback
Barça’s dominance on the pitch was painfully evident, and the tides began to turn when Hugo Alba delivered an exquisite turn and shoot to draw level at 1-1 in the 51st minute. Just moments later, the Catalan side took the lead when Arnau Pradas unleashed a stunning strike from outside the box, sending the fans into a frenzy.
In the thrilling final minutes, both sides pressed intensely in search of another goal. However, despite their relentless efforts, neither team managed to find the back of the net again, solidifying Barça’s advantageous position in the Youth League standings.
MATCH STATS
CRVENA ZVEDA, 1
FC BARCELONA, 2
Crvena Zveda: Radanovic, Stojkovic, Duric, Milosavljevic, Roganovic, Djordevic (Tosic, min 64), Sremcevic, Sljivic, Kostov, Gashtarov (Markocevic, 83), Tasic (Zaric, min 57).
FC Barcelona: Yaakobishvili, Guillem Víctor (Héctor Rangel, min 89), Landry Farré, Kospo, Torrents, Dani Ávila (Tomas Marqués, min 58), Virgili (Dani Ferrer, min 72), Fariñas, Hugo Alba, Quim Junyent (Parriego, min 89), Arnau Pradas (Pedro Fernández, min 72).
Goals: 1-0, Kostov (min 14). 1-1, Hugo Alba (min 51). 1-2, Arnau Pradas (min 54).
Referee: Lukasz Kuzma. Yellow cards for Sremcevic & Duric (CV) and Rangel & Fariñas (FCB).
**Interview with Juliano Belletti: Celebrating Youth Success and Overcoming Adversity**
**Interviewer:** Juliano, thank you for joining us today. Your team’s recent performance in the UEFA Youth League was quite impressive. Can you walk us through that challenging match against Red Star?
**Juliano Belletti:** Thank you for having me! It was indeed a challenging match. We faced an early setback when we conceded a penalty, which put us on the back foot. It was a controversial decision, and for a moment, it seemed like Red Star might take control of the game.
**Interviewer:** Absolutely. How did the team respond after that initial goal from Kostov?
**Juliano Belletti:** The key was our resilience. I always tell the players that football is about how you respond to adversity. After going down, we regrouped and focused on our game plan. I was delighted to see our young talents step up and demonstrate their character.
**Interviewer:** And step up they did! You managed to score two outstanding goals in just three minutes to clinch the victory. What did you think of those goals?
**Juliano Belletti:** They were fantastic! The players showed great skill and composure under pressure. It was a real team effort, and the goals showed our attacking potential. Scoring twice in quick succession not only changed the game’s momentum but also lifted the team’s spirits significantly.
**Interviewer:** With this victory, your points tally stands at 9 out of a possible 12. How does this performance bode for the team’s future in the tournament?
**Juliano Belletti:** It puts us in a strong position, but we must remain focused. Each match presents its challenges, and consistency is key in tournaments like this. I believe in our players, and if we keep working hard and learning from our experiences, we have a great chance to advance further.
**Interviewer:** Lastly, any advice for your young players as they continue in this competition?
**Juliano Belletti:** Absolutely! I always emphasize the importance of believing in themselves and staying united as a team. They should savor each moment on the pitch and remember that with every game, they are developing their skills for a bright future in football.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Juliano. It’s inspiring to hear your thoughts. Best of luck to you and the team in the upcoming matches!
**Juliano Belletti:** Thank you! We appreciate the support. Onward and upward!
