Red Star Belgrade’s Under-19 side opened their 2026–27 Serbian U19 League campaign in impressive fashion on Wednesday afternoon, claiming a comfortable 2-0 home victory over OFK Belgrade. The young crveno-beli produced a disciplined and polished performance at their youth academy ground, signaling their intent to challenge for top honors in Serbia’s premier youth competition.

Match overview

Played on 26 August 2026, the fixture saw Red Star control proceedings from the first whistle against a stubborn OFK Belgrade outfit. The visitors, known for their own productive academy system, sat deep and looked to hit on the counter, but Red Star’s patience and movement in the final third proved decisive. The 2-0 scoreline reflected a thoroughly deserved win for the hosts, who dictated possession and created the clearer chances throughout the 90 minutes.

Key moments

Red Star broke the deadlock midway through the first half. A well-worked move down the right flank saw the overlapping full-back deliver a low cross into the penalty area, where the forward arrived ahead of his marker to steer the ball into the bottom corner. The early goal settled any nerves and forced OFK Belgrade to open up slightly in search of an equalizer.

The second goal came after the interval, when a quick counter-attack caught OFK’s defense out of position. A neat one-two on the edge of the box released the attacking midfielder, who showed composure to slot the ball past the advancing goalkeeper. With a two-goal cushion, Red Star managed the remainder of the game comfortably, seeing out the victory without any late drama.

Tactical story

Red Star Belgrade’s U19 team lined up in their customary attacking shape, with full-backs pushing high and midfielders rotating to create overloads in central areas. OFK Belgrade, by contrast, set up in a compact 4-4-1-1 structure, aiming to frustrate and hit on the break. That plan worked for the opening 20 minutes, but once Red Star found the breakthrough, the rhythm of the match shifted firmly in their favor.

The hosts’ pressing game was particularly impressive, forcing OFK into several misplaced passes in dangerous areas. Red Star’s young midfield trio controlled the tempo, while the center-backs remained alert to the occasional long ball aimed at the OFK forward. It was a mature display from a side that looks well-coached and tactically flexible.

Standout players

Red Star’s goalscorers were the obvious heroes, with the number nine leading the line expertly and winning his aerial duels throughout. The attacking midfielder who netted the second goal also stood out with his energetic pressing and clever movement between the lines. At the back, the central defensive partnership barely put a foot wrong, while the goalkeeper had a quiet afternoon but commanded his box confidently when called upon.

For OFK Belgrade, the young goalkeeper made several sharp saves to keep the score down, while the left-sided center-back showed good composure under pressure. Yet OFK struggled to create any meaningful openings, registering only a handful of shots, none of which truly tested Red Star’s keeper.

Season impact

This result puts Red Star Belgrade U19 on three points from their opening match of the Serbian U19 League season, a perfect start for a team expected to compete near the top of the table. The early-season fixture against OFK Belgrade — historically one of the stronger youth setups in the capital — was always going to be a useful measuring stick, and the hosts passed it with flying colors.

For OFK Belgrade’s academy side, it is an early reality check. While defeat on the road to a title favorite is no disgrace, they will need to show more attacking intent in the coming rounds to avoid falling behind in the standings. With several matches still to come, there is plenty of time for both sides to develop and improve, but this was a statement of intent from Red Star.