Milojevic: We will take on Benfica with brave attitude

BELGRADE - Speaking to reporters ahead of Thursday's UEFA Champions League clash with Portuguese football giants Benfica, Red Star Belgrade head coach Vladan Milojevic said he was proud his club was competing against the best European teams.

"I am proud - we have fought for this, we wanted to be here with the best and we are greatly honoured to be hosting big teams. I told the players that enjoying this new (Champions League) format and proudly representing the club, the city and Serbia again is the most important thing," he said at a pre-match press conference.

The Red Star vs Benfica game at Belgrade's Rajko Mitic Stadium kicks off at 6.45 pm on Thursday.

"As far as the team is concerned, we have slight problems and we will see what our starting lineup will be. Benfica are a big club, I would not agree that they are in a crisis. They have a new coach, a new energy. I expect a phenomenal game, we will do our best and take the pitch with a brave attitude, and we will see the rest after the match," he said.

"We need to deliver our best on the pitch. We are playing the Champions League, against the great Benfica. We are athletes, we will do everything we can. Some players are not at the highest level fitness-wise - we will see," Milojevic noted.