Article by Eduard Apostol, Cristi Preda (photo) – Published Wednesday, November 26, 2025, 4:55 p.m. / Updated Wednesday, November 26, 2025, 4:59 p.m.
Vladan Milojevic, 55, the Serbian coach, gave a sour reply to Gigi Becali at the press conference after he said he was not interested in the direct match on Thursday night and offered the first XI of the red-blues
Red Star coach Vladan Milojevic, 55, spoke confidently at the press conference ahead of tomorrow's game on Thursday, November 27, between his side and FCSB, in Europa League Group XXL.
The desired technician for the Serbian national team coldly responded to Gigi Becali, but pronounced the name “Steaua” every time he referred to the opponent in the European cups.
“Gigi Becali, the owner of Stela, said that he doesn't care who enters the Red Star lineup in the live match. Do these statements motivate you?”, the Belgrade coach was questioned.
“I'm the man who respects everyone, I also respect other people's statements. We don't take these statements for granted! We know who Gigi Becali is… Don't get me wrong. There's nothing negative in what I'm saying. I hope I don't bother anyone that I say “Steaua” when I'm referring to the opposing team.
(Becali) He is a controversial person in Romania and in Europe, so we take the statements as such. We know that Steaua has very good players. Maybe they are not in the best form or position in the ranking, but they are strong”, Vladan Milojevic reacted.
I want to welcome the Romanians, our neighbors. Every footballer is motivated in European matches. Steaua has a very valuable squad, I'm sure they will approach this match with even more motivation. The lot is very balanced, every player has roughly the same qualities. We respect Steaua as a club, as a team
Vladan Milojevic, Red Star Belgrade coach
Serbs, but also Bosnians, amazed by Gigi Becali's reaction: “No one has ever humiliated Red Star like that”
During the time Vladan Milojevic spoke with journalists at the hosts' conference room, UEFA representatives completed the branding process of the Belgrade arena. An employee gingerly placed the sticker with the FCSB logo on the Romanians' reserve bank.
Gigi Becali's statements spread throughout Serbia, and journalists from the neighboring country declared themselves surprised by his tactics. Becali announced the first 11 of Elias Charalambous and conveyed that he will rest the most important players for the game at “Marakana”, being the most interested in the championship.
“The boss of FCSB, Gigi Becali, is known as a person who often shocks the public, and that's what he did this time in the statement before the match with Steaua Roșie. Becali dictated to the journalists the starting team of FCSB that will enter the field for the match with the champion of Serbia,” the Serbians wrote.
Bosnian journalists were ironic: “”No one has ever humiliated Red Star like Gigi Becali did. The football world has never seen this before.
Steaua Rosie hosts the Romanian giants from FCSB in the fifth stage of the Europa League. Even before this match, the red-white team was brutally humiliated by the boss of the team from Bucharest, Gigi Becali. He announced who would play and said he was not interested in the match.
The controversial Gigi Becali has been attracting enormous attention throughout Europe for years. He is a man who does what he wants, and often the huge team does not even need a coach, because the boss personally determines who will play.
It was the same before the match that will be played in Belgrade. The 67-year-old boss said he was not interested in the match with the Serbian champions and gave the starting team in advance. Becali dictated the starting team. The coach is only there to manage the match, that's only if he is left by the controversial financier”, noted the people from sportsport.ba.
