Fuente : UEFA (English)
http://www.uefa.com/

UEFA Cup: Crvena Zvezda celebrate in Croatia

/noticias.info/ Two goals from Nikola Žigic helped steer FK Crvena Zvezda to a healthy 3-1 first-leg lead against UEFA club competition debutants NK Inter Zaprešic in neighbouring Croatia.

Pecelj equaliser
The 25-year-old striker broke the deadlock midway through the first half and although Srdjan Pecelj equalised on 41 minutes, Žigic restored the lead soon after the interval. There was no way back for Inter and the 1991 European champions continued to attack, finally reaping their reward through Marko Pantelic in the final ten minutes.

Treacherous conditions
That goal sealed a comfortable victory for new coach Walter Zenga who will be confident his side can complete the task in Belgrade in a fortnight. The Serbo-Montenegrin side made light of treacherous conditions in Zaprešic this evening, Žigic breaking the deadlock on 21 minutes when he swept in Aleksandar Lukovic's superb cross.

Inter recovery
Žigic could have doubled the lead within 60 seconds but his header veered wide of the upright as Crvena Zvezda began to dominate. But buoyed by their vociferous support, the home side gradually began to grow in confidence and Mario Cizmek drove a shot just wide on 34 minutes – Inter's first real chance of the match.

Terrific header
Serbo-Montenegrin defender Pecelj was more accurate four minutes before the interval though, tapping in Ernad Skulic's testing header. Parity should have been short-lived only for Pantelic to miss a gilt-edged opportunity in added time, but his blushes were saved by his strike partner on 49 minutes, Žigic making it 2-1 with a terrific header.

Late pressure
Crvena Zvezda did not rest on their lead this time though, and continued to press with Žigic, Pantelic and Boško Jankovic all going close. It was the former who finally extended the lead with nine minutes remaining, turning in another pinpoint centre from the indefatigable Lukovic and leaving Inter needing to score at least three in the second leg in a fortnight. notas_de_prensa_archivo