Red Star Belgrade manager Vladan Milojevic says the slower tempo of football in Serbia would probably see Napoli centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly play as a striker in their domestic league.
Milojevic was satisfied with his side’s performance in their 0-0 Champions League draw with the Serie A side on Tuesday and believes they gave ‘a wonderful image’ of Serbia to the rest of Europe.
Koulibaly, who has established himself as one of Europe’s most impressive centre-back’s during his time in Italy, completed the full 90 minutes at the Rajko Mitic Stadium.
After the match, the Red Star boss made a tongue-in-cheek comment suggesting that Koulibaly, who stands at 6ft 2 (though he has also been listed as 6ft 5), would probably be used as a striker in the Serbian league.
“Our league has a much slower tempo. For example, Koulibaly would probably play as a striker in Serbia, because the rhythm of the game is so different,” Milojevic told reporters at full-time.
“It was a fine game of football and returning at this level against such a team after all these years is fantastic.
“Napoli are a top side with a great coach like Carlo Ancelotti and have for years now been challenging for the Serie A title. We had a plan and we brought home the result, so we knew full well that Napoli would dominate possession.
“We tried to go on the counter, but made too many mistakes in the first half. I want to compliment my lads and the fans, who gave a wonderful image of Serbia to the whole world.
“We saw all Napoli’s games this season and they defended well in all of them except against Sampdoria, so we knew that we’d have to most of the defending and we did it well.”
Red Star are back in the big time
Red Star’s Champions League opener against Carlo Ancelotti’s side saw them make their eagerly-anticipated return to Europe’s elite competition, having not participated for 26 years.
Their next group game will see them take on Paris Saint-Germain at the Parc des Princes, before back-to-back fixtures against Liverpool, who sit top of the group after their 3-2 win over Thomas Tuchel’s side on Tuesday.
Milojevic was keen to not look too far into the future ahead of what promises to be a memorable Champions League campaign for the Serbian champions.
“We’ll do our best and I am proud of Red Star,” he added.
“Talking about points is futile right now, we’ll see where we are at the end of the group phase.”
The post Koulibaly would be a striker in Serbia, claims Red Star boss appeared first on Squawka News.
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