Europa League 2025-2026: Red Star-Lille, the likely lineups

Thursday evening, at 6:45 p.m., Belgrade’s Rajko Mitic Stadion is preparing to turn into bedlam for the return leg of the Europe League round of 16 between Red Star and Lille. They restart from the 1-0 first leg in favor of the Serbs, a valuable result that obliges Stankovic’s team, however, not to waste the advantage in front of their fans. The goal is to take advantage of the field factor as the 12th man to clinch a historic passage to the round.

On the other side, Lille have no intention of giving up. Genesio’s Mastiffs arrive in Serbia aware of their strength, but they will have to be good not to be crushed by the pressure of the home crowd. It will be a contest that could lean one way or the other depending on who can make the most of the moments.

Stankovic will rely on his three-man defense led by Rodrigao and Uchenna. Important will be the work on the outsides by Seol and Tiknizyan, while in the middle of the field Krunic’s experience will dictate the timing of the maneuver. Up front, the imagination of Katai and Duarte will have the task of triggering Enem’s only point, ready to strike at any moment.

Genesio responds with a more offensive form to seek a comeback. The Bouaddi-Andre pair will shield the midfield, leaving the three-quarter made up of Perrin, Haraldsson and Correia freer. The weight of the’attack will be on the shoulders of Fernandez-Pardo, while in defense, the Mandi-Ngoy pair will have to try to limit the Serbs’ attacks.

Probable lineups

RED STAR (3-4-2-1): Matheus; Erakovic, Uchenna, Rodrigao; Seol, Handel, Krunic, Tiknizyan; Duarte, Katai; Enem. All: Stankovic.

.

LILLE (4-2-3-1): Ozer; Santos, Mandi, Ngoy, Perraud; Bouaddi, Andre; Perrin, Harladsson, Correia; Fernandez-Pardo. All. Genesio.