First leg score: Maccabi Haifa 3-2 Crvena zvezda

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Match preview

Following last Wednesday’s enthralling first leg at Sammy Ofer Stadium, the return meeting has plenty to live up to.

Hosts Maccabi Haifa raced out of the traps and deservedly took an early lead through Frantzdy Pierrot.

Despite this, Crvena zvezda fought back and then actually led at the interval.

Aleksandar Pešić deflecting home Aleksandar Katai’s shot, before Guélor Kanga’s beautiful strike put the visitors ahead.

Nevertheless, Pierrot equalised with his second of the night before, shortly after, Tjaronn Chery’s half volley snatched victory for the home side.

Last season, the Greens reached the Europa Conference League, ending their eight-year exile from UEFA group stages.

This time round, having impressively beaten both Olympiacos and Apollon Limassol, they’re dreaming of a Champions League return after 13 years away.

Red Star Belgrade meantime won this competition in 1991, more recently qualifying for a UEFA group stage in each of the last five seasons.

The five in-a-row Serbian champions made the Champions League group stages in both 2018 and 2019, getting all the way to the Europa League round of 16 last season.

This year, Dejan Stanković’s side began in the third qualifying round, demolishing Pyunik 7-0 on aggregate.

At home in Europe, Crvena zvezda have lost just five of their last 36 matches, these defeats coming against Arsenal, PSG, Spurs, Bayern Munich and Midtjylland.

So, Red Star will fancy their chances of a comeback at Stadion Rajko Mitić.