Valletta suffer another 2-1 defeat in Belgrade

Valletta went into this match knowing that they will need to produce an exceptional performance if they are to have any chance of going through after losing 2-1 in Malta.

To make things more difficult for the Citizens, both Falcone and Henry Bonello were injured and could not be included in the starting line-up. Instead, Paul Zammit opted for Manuel Bartolo and Michael Mifsud.

Red Star went close after just three minutes when Manuel Bartolo failed to clear Ibanez’s free kick. The ball fell to Phibel, who fired wide from close range.

Valletta responded with a goal on the 11th minute. From a corner, Jhonnattann sent a cross that was met by Caruana, who fired a header past Kahriman to send the citizens ahead.

The Citizens were close to double the score on the 23rd minute as Jhonnattan went through on goal, but sent his shot wide.

The Serbian side tried to pull an equaliser on the 27th minute when Hugo Vieira fired a shot from outside the penalty area that went inches wide.

On the half hour mark, Red Star managed to score an equaliser. Donald sent a stunning strike from outside the penalty area that hit the woodwork before ending up behind Bartolo to make it 1-1.

A minute later, Red Star were close again when Hugo Vieira met a cross from the right, but his volley was saved by Manuel Bartolo.

Bartolo was crucial again on the 34th minute after Kanga tried another shot from distance which produced a good save from the Valletta goalkeeper.

On the 57th minute, the Maltese champions went close when Mifsud ran into the penalty area and sent an effort at goal which was saved by Kahriman.

Red Star responded three minutes later when after winning a free kick, Katai tried his luck, and saw his effort hitting the crossbar. From the rebound, Hugo Vieira fired wide.

Jhonnattann went close again on the 68th minute. The Brazilian striker won a ball at half pitch, and went down the right flank before entering into the penalty area, but his shot went wide.

Valletta’s dreams of making it to the third qualifying round vanished on the 76th minute after Katai received from Srnic and went through on goal, before placing the ball into the net behind Bartolo.

On the 90th minute, Bartolo had to make another save to deny Ibanez from scoring the third goal for his team. The Argentine striker fired a shot from the edge of the penalty area that was turned away by the Valletta goalkeeper. Three minutes later, Bartolo had to stretch again to deny Katai his second goal of the match.

Following this result, Valletta’s dream of securing a place in the third qualifying round is over, while Red Star Belgrade will face Bulgarian champions, Ludugorets Razgrad.

Valletta starting line-up: Bartolo, Caruana(C), Azzopardi, S. Borg, Gill, Mifsud, Briffa, Pani, Aguirre, Jhonnattann, Romeu.

Red Star Belgrade starting line-up: Kahriman, Le Tallec, Kanga, Katai(C), Mouche, M. Cvetković, Donald, Hugo Vieira, Rendulic, Ibáñez, Phibel.

Yellow cards

Donald (Red Star), Briffa (Valletta), Borg (Valletta), Katai (Red Star), Cremona (Valletta).

Referee

Tore Hansen (NOR)