GUDELJ AND LUKEBAKIO: DRAW AND DEFEAT IN THE FIRST LEG OF THE NATIONS LEAGUE RELEGATION PLAYOFF

There were different feelings for the two of our players involved in the UEFA Nations League play-offs. Nemanja Gudelj, who played the first 68 minutes in Serbia’s 1-1 draw against Austria at the Ernst Happel Stadium in Vienna. Although they started behind with a goal from Gregoritsch before halftime, they managed to equalise through Samardzic just before Gudelj, who was played as a center-back, was replaced by Simic. Now, Serbia will have the home advantage to overcome the tie and secure their place in League A. The second leg, which will be played at the Rajko Mitić Stadium in Belgrade, will take place next Sunday at 18:00 CET.

Belgium faces a more complicated situation, having lost the first leg played tonight at the Estadio Enrique Roca in Murcia, the venue chosen by Ukraine due to the war preventing them from competing in their home country. Although things started well for the team managed by debutant Rudi García, who took the lead through Lukaku, Ukraine scored three goals in just 15 minutes, through Gutsulyak, Vanat, and Zabarnyi, to take the initiative in the tie. In the 70th minute, Dodi Lukebakio came on to replace De Ketelaere. Therefore, the Belgian team has work to do, as they will need to overcome a two-goal deficit on Sunday at 20:45 CET at the Cegeka Arena in Genk if they want to remain in League A.