
Robert Prosinečki (foto: pigac.si)
As Red Star Belgrade gears up to face reigning champions Manchester City in their Champions League opener
Club legend Robert Prosinečki weighs in on the Serbian team's prospects in Europe's premier football competition and the ongoing debate over regional supremacy with Croatian side Dinamo Zagreb.
Prosinečki, a figure synonymous with Red Star's storied history, acknowledged the uphill battle facing the Serbian champions. "Competing against multi-million teams like Manchester City and RB Leipzig is a daunting task," he told Sportal. "However, Red Star has been making strategic investments in quality players. Their recent performance in the transfer market indicates that they are not to be taken lightly, especially when playing at their home ground, Marakana."
The Red Star icon went on to set realistic expectations for the club's Champions League journey. "Securing a third-place finish in the group would be a commendable achievement given the level of competition and the investments made by the club. Anything beyond that would be a bonus," Prosinečki added.
The debate over which club reigns supreme in the Balkan region has been a topic of discussion for years. Red Star's General Director, Zvezdan Terzić, has previously claimed that the Serbian outfit has eclipsed Dinamo Zagreb as the leading club in the region.
Prosinečki offered a more nuanced take. "It's a subjective matter. Dinamo has been a constant presence in European competitions and has a track record of high-profile player sales. Red Star is catching up, particularly with their recent smart purchases. Both clubs have their merits, and it's difficult to definitively say who is on top at the moment," he explained.
When asked about the possibility of returning to Red Star as a coach, Prosinečki left the door open. "Life is full of surprises. Never say never. Although it seems unlikely at the moment, you never know what the future holds," he concluded.
For more updates on Red Star Belgrade's Champions League campaign and regional football, stay tuned.