Founded in 1923, FK Radnički Niš had a rich history in the Yugoslav First Federal Football League and now plays in the Serbian SuperLiga. The club reached the semifinals of the 1981-82 UEFA Cup where they fell to runner-ups Hamburg from Germany and won the Balkans Cup in 1975 over Turkish side Eskişehirspor. Interestingly enough this season marks the first time since 1983-84 that Radnicki has returned to continental action after more than a 30+ year absence.
Three Serbian football experts, Milos Markovic of Sportske.net, Sasa Grujic of Groundhoppingsrb.blogspot.com and Serbianfooty.com helped us analyze what type of opponent Maccabi Tel Aviv will be up against and what the Yellow & Blue faithful can be on the look out for over the two-legged 2nd Round Europa League qualifying tie.
There are a number of players that Vladimir Ivic’s side will need to keep an eye on including a new signing Peter Grbic explained Markovic, “The former Partizan striker Grbic along with midfielder Aleksandar Stanisavljevic add plenty of experience into a relatively young squad although they are only 29 themselves.”
Grujic added, “Although Grbic is the most famous player, Bosnian forward Nermin Haskic seems like a good reinforcement. Former Macedonian International Aleksandar Todorovski is experienced at right back and is 34-years of age while Radovan Pankov was part of Serbia U20 World Champions in 2015.”
As for the style of play that can be expected, Markovic believes that it will be dictated by their coach Nenad Lalatovic who both played and managed Red Star Belgrade in the past and had a notable spell at Vojvodina one of the biggest club’s in Serbia. “The team is beginning to shape up and find their form and style of play, Lalatovic is known as a manager who likes to play direct, frontal football and is not expected to drop back and lock the gates hoping for a positive result. He is young, energetic and a courageous coach whose character is directly portrayed through his team.”
SerbianFooty chimed in about the boss, “Their coach is their main strength. Lalatovic is a solid manager who is a great motivator and knows how to organize a side. He is one of the better managers in Serbia.”
When it comes to fan support there is plenty for the Nis based side, “Radnicki Nis are back on the European stage for the first time in over 30 years. Once one of the big guns from the Yugoslav football, Radnicki boasts a solid fan base with fanatic support. People from Nis live and breathe football and they are relishing a chance to take on a club as big as Maccabi, Markovic explained.
SerbianFooty echoed the same sentiments, “Radnicki is a very historic and storied club in Serbia and has great support from the people of Nis. This is their first appearance in Europe since 1984 so it’s a big deal and everyone is behind the team.”
“The Meraklije supporters club founded in 1989 are great. They are faithful and loud, but the stadium has an athletic track. 11,000 people attended the first round against Gzira, so it will be full stadium against Maccabi for sure,” explained Grujic.
All three believe that the Yellow & Blue is the stronger side, but in football you never know, “I don’t expect them to shock Maccabi, but they are a pretty well organized team and can play in their system,” said Serbian Footy.
Markovic felt that intangibles will be their strengths, “I personally do not think Radnicki are a match for Maccabi, but would be glad if they proved me wrong. Radnicki are high on confidence, however, after kicking off the Serbian Super Liga campaign with a win over debutants Proleter Novi Sad, high spirit and great team atmosphere are their biggest strengths.”
“Maccabi is favorite, but Lalatović knows to raise the team. However, the ability of the team is still unknown,” Grujic concluded.
Radnicki Fast Facts
1) The team plays in the Čair Stadium which seats a shade over 18k seats. Originally opened in 1963, the facility boasted 40k seats, but was pared down in a renovation that took place in 2011.
2) Maccabi Tel Aviv hosted and defeated Radncki 2:0 in 1959 at the “Basa” Stadium in a friendly.
3) Three current Radnicki squad members played for Israeli teams this past decade; Bojan Šaranov (Maccabi Haifa), Saša Stojanović (Hapoel Haifa) and Petar Grbić (Hapoel Beer Sheva).
